Robert "Chicago Bob" Karras

Robert Craig "Chicago Bob" Karras of O'Fallon, Ill., fell asleep unto the Lord on December 25, 2023 with his family by his side. Born on December 14, 1954 in Evanston, Ill., he was the devoted son of the late Antoinette Thlimmenos Karras. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Rebecca Joy and his faithful Doberman, Zeus. He was the dear brother of Demetra (Daren Jakeman) Karras and Thomas (Lori) Karras, and was preceded in death by his two sisters Maren and Kimberly, sister-in-law Janice Eversmann, and niece Carina. He was the beloved uncle of Nicholas (Corinne) Eversmann and their daughters Julia and Madeline; Benjamin (Sarah) Eversmann and their sons Quinn and Noah; and Thomas (Kate) Eversmann. He leaves behind several aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, and droves of people who were proud to call him friend.
Bob attended Evanston Township High School where he was a smart student and fine athlete participating in wrestling and basketball. His innate love of cars and the way they worked made him a standout in auto shop. He then attended Kendall College of Culinary Arts where his natural affinity for cooking took shape.
Bob's career would mostly follow those two paths. He was the youngest service manager ever at Fields BMW and Cadillac in Evanston, also working at several other well-known dealerships in Chicago and its suburbs. Over the years, he could always be found behind the wheel of one sports car or another. His latest hot rod was a black 1972 Camaro. In the early to mid 1980s, Bob was a pit crew member for Venturini Motorsports - a name now synonymous with modern-day racing in America.
In 1987, he moved to O'Fallon, Ill. where his focus turned back to food and he began running a small deli inside Beard's Tavern on State Street. This is where he soon received the affectionate moniker Chicago Bob. His success there led him and a partner to open the eponymous Chicago Bob's across the street. A couple years later, he'd go on his own, relocate and expand Chicago Bob's into a new, larger and very popular restaurant and sports bar on Highway 50.
Bob was incredibly talented and creative in the kitchen, whipping up fantastic dishes. He even bottled his own Chicago Bob's barbecue sauce which caught the attention of Chicago Bears legend Walter Payton who Bob periodically sent cases of it. Bob was also asked to bring his flair for barbecue and cook at an annual summer picnic hosted by some of the Chicago Bulls. In the 90s whenever the Chicago Cubs were in town playing the Cardinals, Bob would feed Cub broadcasters, Harry Carey, Steve Stone, Ron Santo and Thom Brennaman. After the restaurant closed, Bob became a member of the Cement Masons & Plasterers Local. He would eventually begin working for the city of O'Fallon until an accident on the job left him seriously and permanently injured, forcing him to retire in 2021. Bob was also an O'Fallon alderman for 6 years.
To know Chicago Bob was to love him. He had a big, boisterous personality, was extremely clever and displayed a sharp sense of humor. He made any occasion more fun with his upbeat, positive attitude, and was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. He lived a most colorful, fulfilling life - early years spent being wild and adventurous; later years working hard and enjoying the simpler pleasures like being with family and dear friends, and making them laugh which he was a natural at. Almost everyone you meet, has a lively or endearing Chicago Bob story or two.
Bob was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian having been an altar boy in Chicago in his youth, and now attended Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Swansea where he was an active member of the parish board. As late as this year, he was happy to prepare delicious meals for special church events. Over the summer, he was thrilled when his long-time friend Bill Venturini requested him to cook up his famous gyros sandwiches in the pit on race day at DuQuoin. Bob loved his wife, dogs, family and friends fiercely and wholly. His departure will leave an indelible void in the lives of so many, but his memory will be eternal.
Online condolences may be offered at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Memorial Donations are suggested to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Visitation: 3 – 8 pm, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon. The Trisagion Service will be at 7pm at the funeral home.
Funeral: 11 am, Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 405 Huntwood Rd., Swansea, IL 62226 with Fr. Achilles Karathanos presiding. Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery, O'Fallon, Ill. Immediately following services, the family would like to invite all in attendance to a luncheon at the church.