Robert Stephens

Robert "Bob" C. Stephens, 79, lifetime Chicago resident, cherished husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and political activist, passed away peacefully with family in his Lakeview home of 45 years.

Born in 1945 on the south side, Bob grew up in Beverly, attended Vanderpoel elementary and Morgan Park high schools and spent his summers in Saugatuck, MI. He earned a B.S. in political science at the University of Wisconsin, served in the Navy and earned a J.D. at Chicago-Kent Law School. Bob moved to the north side and went on to practice law downtown, finishing his career as an attorney with the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Bob embraced food, sports, and culture. He never missed a meal, trying anything never leaving a scrap on his plate. He was a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, loved music, played the tuba in the "Windy City Wailers" jazz band and marching band in college, attended concerts in the park & operas, and even sang in the shower. Bob traveled to over 50 countries, loved architecture and was a museum regular.

Bob loved nature and his community. He enjoyed jogging through Lincoln Park, animals at the zoo, flowers and fauna at the conservatory and volunteering at the Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary. He was active in local politics meeting his wife of 46 years in a campaign for 46th ward alderman and remained active in campaigns for local, state and national democratic candidates throughout his life. Bob volunteered at numerous local organizations including the St Vincent Depaul Daycare Center, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, and The Village Chicago.

Bob knew how to have a conversation with anyone and was always loyal, dependable and generous to his family, friends, colleagues and people in need. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to Marillac St. Vincent (https://marillacstvincent.org/), the Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary (https://www.friendsofchicagonature.org/) or the Alzheimer's Association (https://act.alz.org/).