Bob M. "Zeke" McLaughlin

Robert "Bob" McLaughlin, 70, of Naperville, IL, passed away on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by family.
Also known as 'Zeke" to friends and family, Bob was born in Yeadon, PA to Fran and Jim McLaughlin. He was raised in Philadelphia and Springfield, PA. Sadly, his parents passed away while he and his siblings were young, however he found family with his best friend and chosen brother, Bud Tosti. The Tosti's welcomed Bob as their own kin, and Ann and Frank Tosti stepped in as second parents to him.
Even after his parents passed away, the family remained extraordinarily close. Bob prioritized spending time with his siblings: Kathy, Jim, Tom, Jerry, Mary, and Bud. He and his siblings are all steadfast, loyal friends who value strong bonds. They built traditions together and maintained relationships between the younger generations as their families grew.
In 1970, Bob graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School, where he met Nancy Mullin, who he would marry in 1980. Eventually, he ended up at Penn State University with his brother, Tom, where he graduated with a degree in marketing in 1976. He paid his way through college working at Munchie's, making a mean cheesesteak, and spent summers in Mount Holly, NJ driving a Mister Softee truck. He took great joy in the Mister Softee job, polishing his sales skills and building strong relationships with his colleagues. A Softee truck surprised Nancy and Bob on their wedding day to serve strawberry daiquiris to the thirsty guests. A brilliant start to a legendary wedding.
After graduation, Bob worked in sales for Hunt Wesson. He quickly realized that he was destined for much bigger things than storing ketchup bottles on shelves at local food stores So he followed his heart (and his elder brother, Jim) out to Tacoma, WA to be near the mountains. He started working for Wm. C. Brown Publishers, fulfilling his wanderlust by traveling extensively around his large western territory of 5-6 states.
Bob had many mentors that took an interest in his potential throughout his life. He in turn mentored many others throughout his long career. At Wm. C. Brown, he quickly rose to the position of national sales manager. Each year the Wm. C. Brown's sales force looked forward to Bob's opening address at the annual sales meeting, where Bob would bring the house down with his keen humor, wit, and joke telling.
Bob believed in education as a product he could sell throughout his 45-year career. His rise through the ranks in higher education sales in multiple companies took him and his family to Dubuque, IA; Ramsey, NJ; Loveland, OH; Drexel Hill, PA; and Fitchburg, WI before landing at their forever home in Naperville IL in 1998. There, Bob founded Tributary Sales Resources, a textbook and education sales company that would employ dozens of loyal workers during his tenure from 2002 - 2022, including some long-term employees who stayed for many years. He was proud to have his dear friend and colleague, David Littlehale, take over TSR this past September. He celebrated his retirement in style at the Morton Arboretum, where often took long walks through the meadows.
Nancy Mullin was the love of Bob's life and they shared so many adventures, including travel, buying a shore house, and building their family. Nancy was also his rock through any challenges, most especially during Bob's health battles the past two years. She even put up with many of his "hidden agendas" - last minute plans with friends. There were never going to be enough lifetimes for all the adventures Bob had in mind, but together he and Nancy traveled to Europe, attended countless concerts and plays (both great and not-so-great), camped, hiked, and bought and sold many houses. They welcomed three children, (Clare, Ellen and Conor) and six grandchildren (the late Lucy, Baxter, Finn, Jonas, Beatrice and Desmond) together. He loved being with his kids - at the beach, skiing, traveling, going to games, and just hanging around the house or going in the hot tub with the grandkids.
Any discussion of Bob's life would be incomplete without mentioning his friendships. He literally had a dozen or more people he could call "best friends." He was caring, loyal, and uproariously funny, with seemingly boundless generosity. Bob made people feel seen, loved, and important. He was always there to support people through the challenges of life, offering connections, sage advice, and a kind word. He was a doer, a helper and a giver. He was up for anything and was a bottomless source of spontaneity (did we mention hidden agendas ?) and brilliant ideas.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Frances and Jim McLaughlin; Ann and Frank Tosti; his siblings Jim McLaughlin and Eileen McLaughlin; and his granddaughter, Lucy Aubuchon.
Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Mullin; his children Clare (Mattie) Henderson; Ellen (Paul) Aubuchon; and Conor (Cassie Caccavallo) McLaughlin; his siblings Kathy O'Donnell; Tom (Fran) McLaughlin; Jerry McLaughlin; Mary (Colin Gibson) McLaughlin; and Bud (Kit) Tosti; his grandchildren Baxter, Jonas, and Desmond Aubuchon; and Finn and Beatrice Henderson.
Celebrations of Bob's life will be planned for the Naperville area in April 2023 and Philadelphia area June 2023. In true Bob style, they will be proper shindigs. Details to come on his Caring Bridge site https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobmclaughlin-zeke
In lieu of flowers, please donate to:
St. Catherine-St. Lucy School in Oak Park, IL: Donations can be made online at Support SCSL School (givecentral.org) or mailed to Director of Advancement, St. Catherine – St. Lucy School, 27 W. Washington, Oak Park, Il 60302.
Greater Chicago Food Depository or your own local community food bank