Robert P. Conroy Jr.

Conroy, Robert Phillip, Jr. (Bob) Of Waukegan, IL died peacefully on the evening of Sunday March 25th, 2012 at Victory Hospital. He was 84 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife Julia (Marshall) Conroy. Bob was born in Wichita, Kansas on November 6th, 1927 to Robert Phillip Conroy, Sr. and Edna-Mae (Teevans) Conroy, joining older sister Marie. He was a veteran of World War II, having been prepared for service in the European theater when VE day was announced; he was then shipped out to Hawaii to serve in the Pacific Theater when VJ day was announced. Bob ended up serving as one of the first Army forces in Korea during that conflict. After an honorable discharge, Technical Sergeant 5th Class Robert Conroy attended Kansas State University to become a Mechanical Engineer. After his marriage to Julia Marshall, the family moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin where he worked in experimental design for the Mercury Marine Corporation for many years. Bob and Julie welcomed the birth of a son Mark, in 1952. After 25 years of marriage, Julie passed away from cancer in 1974. Bob later married childhood friend Ann Buche, a widow with five children, in 1975, and the new family moved to Columbus, Wisconsin. After retirement from Mercury Marine, he started his business, All Season Sport & Marine in Columbus. In 1982 Ann, Bob and the two remaining children at home moved to Waukegan, Illinois and he came to work, again as an Engineer, at Outboard Marine Corporation until his final retirement in 1995. Bob pursued active summer and winter sports: sailing, skiing, snowmobiling and racquetball. He had a pilot license and enjoyed flying a small private plane. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association for many years. Planting flowers and caring for his cars, especially his 1968 Corvette convertible, took up his time as well. In recent years, Bob's interests included designing stained glass windows and ornaments, cultivating geraniums, and volunteering at the Senior Center in Waukegan. Bob was the oldest male participant in the 2009 Walk for Seniors event at the local center. He also read widely and deeply, throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling to visit his far-flung children around the country and the world, visiting Europe and Asia, as well as many places around the United States. After visiting Hawaii, Bob developed a fascination with the active Kilauea volcano and followed regular internet updates of movements of the lava flow. Bob was an active member of the Saint Anastasia Catholic Church with his wife Ann Buche Conroy. Service and philanthropy were a way of life in the Conroy household, Bob was a regular supporter of the St. Labre Indian School in Montana. Bob is survived by his wife, Ann Buche Conroy, son Mark Conroy (Mary), daughter Susie Buche (John Koker), son COL. Joseph Buche (CJ), daughter Martha Buche (Jim Pattison), daughter Sarah Serdin (Mark), and son James M. J. Buche. Grandchildren Walter, Carolyn, Margaret, Abigail, Megan, Shelby, Kathryn, and William will all deeply miss "Grandpa" as will his sister, Marie Zenker, sister-in-law HelenruthWelsby (Ralph) and brother-in-law James Buche (Carolyn) and numerous nieces, nephews and a large extended family. The family wishes to thank the numerous healthcare professionals in clinics, hospitals and home care agencies for their kind care; those of St. Anastasia Parish who have prepared the funeral luncheon; and all the family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who lent their love, care and support during Bob's illness. There will be a visitation at Peterson and Patch Funeral Home in Waukegan on Thursday, March 29th from 4:00-8:00 p.m., and a funeral mass at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Waukegan (with flowers provided by Pierce Florist) on Friday, March 30th at 10:00 a.m. Please consider donating to St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan in Bob's memory.