Robert Julius Stecher

It is with heavy hearts we share with you, our father, grandfather, and friend, Robert Julius Stecher passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023. Dad was born on March 4, 1934 in Amityville, New York. The oldest son of Anton Henry Stecher, of Brooklyn, New York and Lillian Hussey-Stecher, of Auburn, Maine.

Dad grew up in Babylon, Long Island, New York. He shared stories about spending hours upon hours in the bay searching for clams and oysters and boating, his love of the water and the beach. He attended Babylon High School where he excelled in Math, Chemistry, and Physics. He enjoyed playing the clarinet and was a member of the marching band. He spent a year as an apprentice at Grumman Aircraft, where his father, Anton worked while he was attending high school as well. He then enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, served four years and graduated as an Electronics Technician.

Dad was then stationed at Norfolk, Virginia and Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois. He met our mother, June in 1954, while attending a USO dance in Chicago. They married in May of 1955 and had their first child, Robert Jr., in April 1956. After serving four years in the Navy, the small family lived in Endicott, New York where dad attended training for his role as a Customer Engineer with IBM. They eventually moved back to Chicago, which was home for mom. Dad received many accolades for his sales and service successes during his tenure with IBM.

Two years later, along came Sheila in 1958, James Anton in 1959, and Monica in 1960. After Monica's arrival the family moved out to the country slightly before Donna was born in 1962. Our family moved from Chicago to Carpentersville, Illinois, Lisa was then born in 1965. Eventually, our large family moved to a home that dad's construction company built, in 1972 in the Algonquin, Illinois area.

Dad was steadfast in his approach and did so much with his family. He taught us to do so many things from camping, ice skating, to playing poker, to chess, and boating, and he always had time for us. His love of the outdoors and the water was always included in our family trips and experiences. Our childhood friends liked to spend time at our house because there was always a lot of laughter and activity. Our family tradition was to sit together every evening as a family for dinner. A lot of stories and great memories were shared at our dinner table.

Dad was one of the most generous, selfless, caring, considerate people you could ever know with so many surprises even as recent as this past year. Such a big heart with a subtle, unassuming approach and so much wisdom, if we slowed down long enough to listen. It was never about him. So many dimensions of a soft-spoken unpretentious man who taught us all through his actions and by example and what an example he set. He was our patriarch. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Dad took care of our mother through a long illness that lasted eight years and it consumed most of his time and energy, he never wavered. Dad was by mom's side every day, ensuring she had the proper care and comfort. We will never forget the dedication he displayed, and the exhaustive time and energy spent for almost a decade. That was who he was.

Dad was an avid thrift shopper. After our mother passed away in 2018, he kept himself busy, reading, taking walks, and thrifting. In 2019, dad was fortunate to meet a wonderful, lovely lady, Hanna Wendes, who was volunteering her time, working at one of the thrift stores he frequented. Their friendship started the day they met, and it was a very special relationship. Dad and Hanna spent the next 3.5 years together. Their friendship evolved into a deep love and companionship that our father treasured. Hanna brought dad so much joy and happiness. They were kindred spirits. They took walks together every day, socialized with friends, read voraciously, attended church, entertained, and attended Hanna's family gatherings. We are forever grateful to Hanna and her family who treated our father as a member of their family.

Hanna also invited dad to join her parish, Trinity Lutheran Church, where he became an active member. He grew up as a Lutheran and had converted to mom's religion, Catholicism. Hanna brought him 'home', back to his childhood faith. He had recently been baptized again as a Lutheran and was actively practicing his faith. Hanna and dad attended bible study, weekly services, he joined the church choir, and developed friendships with their fellow parishioners.

We learned something whenever we were in dad's presence. He never lost his thirst for knowledge and unwavering support and concern for Hanna, his family, and the people he loved. He was a selfless tower of strength. We are comforted in our faith that our father will rest in eternal peace.

Our father, grandfather, and friend was predeceased by his wife June, son Robert Jr., and granddaughter Rebekah Lynn Burns. He is survived by his life partner, Hanna Wendes, his children: Daughter in Law, Joanne Stecher (Robert Jr.), Sheila Stecher, James Stecher, Monica Cotner (Randy), Donna Theis (Jerry) and Lisa Carone (Mark Christensen); his grandchildren, Michael Stecher (Ariane), James Stecher (Sabrina), Jonathon Stecher (Carrie), Sara Stecher (Scotty Faruzzi), Matthew Burns, Kaila Cotner (Paul Friel) , Christopher Coughlin (Lindsey), Francis T. Coughlin II (Viviane) and Timothy P. Coughlin Jr. (Cassie); and his great grandchildren, Andrew Grzybek (Lydia Weltzien), Ari Stecher, Raelyn Stecher, Ayla Stecher, Lilian Stecher, Francis Thomas Coughlin III, Ashton Stecher, Grace Coughlin, Evelynn Stecher, and Allijah Stecher. Sisters, Joyce Ludemann, Lynda Badger (James) and their extended families.

Please join us for a memorial and celebration of Robert Stecher's life:

Saturday, January 13, 3:00PM

Trinity Lutheran Church

11008 N. Church St Huntley, IL 60142

Following the ceremony, Please plan to JOIN US:

Trinity Lutheran Church, for snacks and refreshments, immediately following the ceremony.