Robert John King

Robert John King, known to all as Bob or BK, passed away peacefully early on April 19. It was the end of a battle with esophageal cancer.
Bob was a big guy, with a large presence and a generous spirit. He was born September 12, 1950, in Aurora, but grew up in Bloomington as the fifth of nine siblings in a boisterous, loving family. Bob attended local Catholic schools and Illinois State University, where he assembled an enthusiastic group of friends who enjoyed their time together, perhaps to excess.
Bob had a great, distinctive voice and when he moved to Chicago after school he worked first as a disc jockey on WMAQ and then as a DJ and program director for Q101-FM. He also worked on various commercial films and voiceovers.
Bob really established himself as a bartender. His personality fit the job and his interactions across the bar led to many friends, including a wife. Bob worked at several popular bars, especially Hillary's in the Water Tower Place when it was opened by the Levy family. Bob moved within the Levy organization to become beverage manager, helping to open places as diverse as large sports arenas and high-end restaurants. Bob was a popular visitor to brewers, distillers, vineyard and his annual favorite Aspen Food and Wine festival.
Bob was funny. He told a good joke, sometimes self-deprecating and often devastating. His banter as a scorekeeper of various contests is legendary among friends and family. He shared a birthday with his son Spencer and often arranged elaborate pranks to celebrate, including once getting a Rolls Royce and a case of Grey Poupon mustard so that Spencer could hand out jars to unsuspecting drivers, in a perfect restaging of a popular TV advertisement.
Bob was an avid gamer. A skilled card player and dice enthusiast, he cherished annual trips to Las Vegas with his brothers and nephews.
Bob was an inveterate reader. A friend to libraries, he was often found with a book. He was happy to discuss books and authors and to recommend selections. His favorite, over the years, remained "To Kill a Mockingbird".
Bob was a cyclist. After moving to Chicago, he organized a group of weekend riders called the Rogers Park Irregulars that entertained many friends. He participated in numerous long distance charity rides and popular RAGBRAI.
Bob was generous. His gifts, including his own elaborate wrapping, were highly anticipated. He gave blood regularly; every two months, until failing health prevented continuing.
Bob was a hero. In the summer of 1979, coming home late from work, Bob interrupted a villain's attack on an elderly couple, subduing the attacker, alerting the authorities and protecting the victims. The City of Chicago awarded Bob its highest civilian honor.
Bob was gracious and graceful in his final illness. He worried most about the burden he was being on others.
Bob is survived by his son Spencer, of Sarasota, FL, and his wife Leigh and daughter Claire, and his daughter Madeleine of Chicago. Bob's marriage to Melissa Oosterbaan ended in divorce. Bob also is survived by his sisters Carole Bunte of Oak Brook Terrace, Rose Costello of St. Paul, MN and Dorothy King and her husband John Protasiewicz of Cleveland Heights, OH, his brothers Daniel King and his wife Karen of Atlanta, GA, and Stephen and his wife Christy of Wilmette, and sister in laws Margaret King of Chicago and Dobie Edmunds of Cloverdale, CA, as well as a score of beloved nieces, nephews, their spouses and children. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Carol, his sister Margaret and his brothers Michael and Thomas.
Simply, Bob will be missed. His remains will be interred in a family plot in a private service. In Bob's memory, do something nice for another.