Robert Lee Carpenter

Robert Lee Carpenter, age 94 of Sandwich, Illinois, passed away March 1st, 2026, at home surrounded by family.

He was born on November 2nd, 1931, in Dixon, Illinois to Mildred and Lee Carpenter. He attended Senn High School in Chicago, Northwestern University (Traffic Management), Wright Junior College, and The School of Architecture at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign.

Bob served in the United States Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky in the office of the Post Engineer.

He married Quendred Wutzke August 18th, 1956, at the Congregational Church of Sandwich. They have two children, Christopher (Jennifer) Carpenter of Plano, and Cheston Carpenter of the Open Door Rehabilitation Center in Sandwich.

Bob was very active in the local community. He was the Past President of the Rotary Club of Sandwich and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was elected to the Sandwich School Board and was a leader in the Association to Restore City Hall (Sandwich Opera House). He chaired the building committee for the United Church of Sandwich and was on the board of Hoover Boy Scout Camp.

He was Vice President of Sales for Jones & Brown Corporation of Addison, designing and managing many prominent structural steel and other commercial projects including the Standard Oil Building reclad, McCormick Place North Annex, Soldier Field Skyboxes and the spires atop 225 West Wacker Drive. He was instrumental in either design or construction of local buildings such as Indian Springs Shopping Center, Arrowhead Clinic (Endeavor Health Sandwich), Plano Molding, Impact Industries, WOW 7 Cinemas (Classic Cinemas), Gjovik Auto Group (TERA Group), Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Johnny K's, Nelson Funeral Homes, First Impressions Dentistry, the Kendall County Courthouse, and many private homes.

He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his fondness for sustainability and accessibility throughout his architectural career, and his devotion to his family and community.

He is survived by his wife, Quen Carpenter of Sandwich, sons Chris (Jennifer) Carpenter of Plano and Chet Carpenter of Sandwich, grandchildren Kate Carpenter (Clint Updike) of Sandwich and Sean (Alicia) Carpenter and great grandson of Plano.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother James (Doris).

Services will be held on Saturday March 7, 2026, at the United Church of Sandwich. The visitation will begin at 9:30 am, and will conclude with funeral services at 11 am. A luncheon will be held at the church following funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to The Open Door Rehabilitation Center in Sandwich - https://odrc.org/donate/.