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Robert Estil Riley

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Robert Riley Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 21, 2025.

Robert (Rob) was born 04/06/1945 in Concordia, KS to his loving parents, Robert Riley Sr and Margaret (nee Jones). Raised in Long Grove, IL by an educated and fun family who founded a Montessori school run by 3 generations! He attended Ela Vernon high before graduating from U of Michigan. Cherished brother to Nan Parson (Chris) and Lyn Pearson (Jack); son William Atlas Riley (Clary) two spectacular granddaughters, Bella and Matilda. Rob leaves behind devoted stepchildren Spencer Breen, Riley Breen (Sean) as well as stepgranddaughters, Alyssa and Alannah. He is survived by his adoring nieces: Kim, Meghan, Sara, Mary, Donna, Jess and nephews: John and Mark -not to mention hordes of inlaws, outlaws and wonderful friends! He went to his glory August 8, 2025 with the love of his life, Nonie Newton Riley, by his side.

Rob was handsome, sartorial, and a true wise guy- always finding the fun and funny. A multi-hyphenate: actor, singer, musician, improviser, songwriter, producer. Rob was a much beloved figure on Chicago stages. You might have seen him at the Goodman in Blind Date, Moonlight and Magnolias, The Crowd You're In With; Northlight in Seasons Greetings, The Cripple of Inishmaan; Good For Otto at the The Gift; Steppenwolf in Playboy of the Western World, The Weir; QED in his one man show for Collaboraction; Second City and the Reification Co where he lit up the stage with his improv skills. SNL writer and performer. Hopefully, you caught Wild Men in Chicago or at the Westside Theatre in NYC - co-written, directed and performed by hisself. Athletic, political, deeply kind and forever missed!

The family sends heartfelt thanks to Dr Rafii, Dr Alsayegh and Americare hospice for their remarkable care.

** Please feel free to post a memory or picture- all who loved him are welcome

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Recent Activity

Earlier today

Valborg Fletre Linn posted to the memorial.

Earlier today

Vicki Quade posted to the memorial.

Yesterday

John Davies posted to the memorial.

11 Entries

Valborg Fletre Linn

Earlier today

Rob was a great friend that Tim & I met through friends in the early 1970´s and hung around at the his thrift shop around the corner from our apartment. We put on crazy shows there, using the merch as our costumes & props and the store as our set. He & other friends wrote the fantastic(al) shows and we either performed, warmed up the audience or participated in some fun manner in each performance. Our daughters, Asia & Hjørdis, grew up thinking this was how adults behaved!
Needless to say we remained friends (and fans) throughout the years from Chicago to NYC.... Reification Company to SNL to Goodman Theater to LA. No matter where we lived, Rob knew he could always ring the doorbell without notice and get a glass of Welch´s grape juice... or wine. We traveled to see each other´s works. Rob came to see us & performed his "Good for Otto" soliloquy for Tim right before he died. Great memories. Great friend. Love to Nonie. Love to all his family & friends. Miss you Rob. Love, Valborg

Vicki Quade

Earlier today

So happy to have shared many a laugh with Rob. First time we met, I thought, first, geez, he's so tall and good-looking, no wonder he's an actor. Then I loved his politics, the way he spoke about the creative process, how to nurture good people, how cheap wine is perfectly okay, how to keep going. And I loved how much he loved Nonie and how he wasn't embarrassed to say that. He was a good man. He is already missed.

John Davies

Yesterday

Hey Rob, remember SUGAR OR PLAIN, that comedy short about two crazy ice cream vendors you, me and Jim Belushi made that aired on HBO, SHOWTIME and eventually Saturday Night Live? Well, Kim Morgan, a writer who curates Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema in LA chose it for Quentin's permanent collection at that theater. It often runs before Quentin's favorite feature length films and friends of mine have seen it and say audiences love it so you're still entertaining people Rob! Below I've added a production still from one of our other productions TAB LLOYD: INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER about a sleazy journalist played incomparably by you. I'm proud of our original work, written and produced by us with most of it airing nationally. I learned a ton from you.
John Davies

Jackie VanWagner

Yesterday

Always looked forward to your visits to The Smith Center. Your love for each other is an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of your company....I adored you both and prey your heart soon will be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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Karol Kent

Yesterday

Wonderful Rob Riley was also a great, innovative director of shows by Chicago comedy ensemble Friends of the Zoo. The funniest, most fun years of my life spent with Rob & the rest of our insane group - Mark Nutter, Russ Flack, Pete Burns, Jeanette Schwaba, Karol Kent (me), and Paul Raci + Dominic Bucci with Lucia & Puff up in the booth. Zoo Plate Special, Zoo Thousand One, Oh! My Nuts! - Rob guided our writing ("cut it" "throw it out & start again" "save it for the next show") pushed us rehearsing ("do the dance 20 more times" "Pete sings!?" "cut 10 more seconds off that blackout" ) and was our proud mentor at every fabulous opening night. He made us special. Laughed harder & longer with this crazy, rebellious, sophisticated, intellectual man than anyone ever. Love you, dear friend Rob - see you at the next Cabaret Rebob upstairs.

Mark Nutter

Yesterday

RIP Rob. The Reification Company. Friends of the Zoo. Wild Men! A lifetime of memories with you.

Sandra Carlson

Yesterday

We will miss his smile and friendly hello. Bill and Sandy

Shelly Goldstein

Yesterday

Rob was a talented, handsome, brilliant, innovative mensch with a big, big heart. I saw him many times onstage in Chicago -- mostly with the Reification Co. Always so sharp, so funny. Rob made the world better & the party more fun. Condolences and love to Nonie and all who loved him.