Robert K. Abbott

Robert "Bob" K. Abbott, Age 87, passed away on November 16, 2025.
Robert K. ("Bob") Abbott's pledge would always be to provide excellence to our customers, and a rewarding profession to every plumber and apprentice Abbott has employed.
Beloved husband of Delores ( Skack ) Abbott ( for 68 years ), and loving daughter of Lori Abbott. Preceded in death by his parents, George and Eleanor ( Benker ) Abbott and brother Donald Abbott and sister in law, Darlene Abbott. Uncle and Great-Uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Bob Abbott has devoted his life's work to our industry, and his connection to Local 130 stretches back to the first day he decided to become a union plumber.
Bob graduated from Lane Technical High School in January of 1956, and was both qualified and accepted to attend MIT. However, due to a lack of financial resources he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and pursued a career as a journeyman union plumber. In 1957, Bob and his high school sweetheart, Delores, were married. Their daughter, Lori, was born (on Labor Day) in 1959.
As an apprentice with Davis Construction under the mentorships of Local 130 Business Manager Steve Bailey and Recording Secretary Steve Lamb, Bob entered the UA apprentice contest in August of 1959, after being named both the city and state winner. Bob subsequently assisted in the training of other 130 members who became apprentice contest competitors (a number also went on to earn the designation of "National Winner"), namely: Mike Triplett; Clancy Kelly, Jr.; Dan Harris; and Dick Martin.
Bob graduated from the apprenticeship program in 1959. At 23, he became a Local 130 Officer, served on union committees and the Examining Board, and was a Local 130 UA Convention Delegate.
Upon completing his apprenticeship and passing the Civil Service Exam, Bob was temporarily assigned to a Chicago meter truck before beginning with Thomas H. Litvin Plumbing Company. At Litvin, he worked as the General Superintendent (at age 23!) on the famed "City within a City" project – the legendary Marina City, pouring a deck every day, with a multiracial crew unheard of in the early 1960's.
Under the guidance of both Tom and Bob Litvin, he applied his skill and training to many Chicago landmarks as a design build manager, earning a promotion to Vice President in 1965. Bob left Litvin in 1972, after the "topping off" of the John Hancock Building in Chicago.
He next joined FE Moran, and while working there began to wonder about his own drive to become a business owner. The answer came in 1973, when, with Delores at his side, Abbott Industries, Inc. opened its doors. Among the first jobs were 175 N. Harbor Drive and the Fairmont Hotel – at the same time! The tradition continued over the years, making his mark on the Chicago skyline: Columbus Plaza, Park Newberry, Cathedral Place, 630 N. State Street, The Farallon, Left Bank Apartments, Park Alexander, 600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Grand Plaza, Hyatt McCormick Hotel Expansion, Aqua and more. To his complete surprise, Bob was inducted into The Plumbing Industry Hall of Fame in 2002.
Continuing in the plumbing industry tradition, Abbott Industries is first and foremost a family business. The next generation is already on board and hard at work: Lori L. Abbott joined the company in 1988, first as Treasurer and now President.
Bob was known for his kindness, devotion to family, knowledge and expertise as a plumber and contractor – always willing to generously share his passion and problem-solving abilities with his peers.
In his quest to support and "give back" to his industry and his community, Bob has quietly but consistently shared his time and devoted his energy to meaningful endeavors – including help to St. Jude's, Meals on Wheels, Gallery 37, School of the Performing Arts, Chicago Youth Program, Misericordia, Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics, and countless other charities.
Bob and Delores in 2025 celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. In 2021, Bob received his 65 Year UA pin. Bob Abbott has left a lasting impression both personally and professionally. He will be deeply missed.
Visitation, Sunday, November 23, 2025, 3:00PM to 7:00PM at Sheldon-Goglin-Kaminski Funeral Home, 5935 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Funeral, Monday, November 24, 2025, 9:30AM Prayers and Procession to begin from the funeral home to Saint Ferdinand Church, 3101 N. Mason Avenue, Chicago, Illinois for 10:00AM Mass.
Interment, Saint Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois.