Robert Danhoff Naden

Robert "Bob" Danhoff Naden passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 13, 2025, at the age of 98 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Born on April 28, 1927, in the Chicago area, Bob lived a long and fulfilling life devoted to faith, family, and helping others.

Bob proudly served in the United States Navy, where he was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and later led a Navy alumni group that became a lifelong source of friendship and camaraderie. After his service, he built a meaningful career in education, earning a degree from George Williams College and a Master's in Education from Northwestern University-Go Cats! He taught Science and Physical Education at Thorp Elementary in the Chicago Public School system and met his beloved wife, Harriet, while they were both teaching at Gregory School in the Chicago area. Bob was deeply committed to guiding and inspiring young people, both in the classroom and on the field, coaching numerous basketball and soccer teams in the Mount Prospect area.

Beyond teaching, Bob was a dedicated park counselor at Heritage Park in Arlington Heights, where his patience and sense of fun made him a favorite among children and families. Following his retirement from teaching, he continued to put his skills and industrious nature to work as an electrician and handyman, working alongside close friends Jim Linehan and Sig Carlson, and later with Rayco Paint Company, owned by his friends and close relatives, John and Lila Italia.

Bob was known for his "can do" attitude and his remarkable craftsmanship. Whether fixing, building, or carving something by hand, he approached every task with pride and precision-especially in his beloved home on School Street, which he shaped with care over the years. He loved his family deeply and led with a gentle, humble spirit.

One of Bob's greatest joys was spending summer weeks at his family's Northwoods cabin on Round Lake near Hayward, Wisconsin, where he delighted in watching sunsets, feeding the ducks, water skiing, swimming, and sharing martinis with friends and family. He also had a lifelong passion for skiing, enjoying countless family trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bob loved carving turns on the hills of Powderhorn Mountain and Blackjack, celebrating many chilly and snowy New Year's with the family. In later years, he and Harriet ventured west for remarkable trips to Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge, delighting in skiing for free after turning 75.

An avid fan of the Chicago Bears, the Cubs, and the game of golf, Bob found joy in every round played with his sons, his brother-in-law Alan Johnson, and his neighbor Stan Baron.

Bob is survived by his sons, Richard and Daniel Naden, and his grandchildren, Preston, Nathan, Abigail, and Nicholas. He is preceded in death by his wife, Harriet; his parents, Donald and Helen; and his sisters, Helen and Marge.

A funeral service will be held at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of condolence may be sent in Robert's memory to Fund for Teachers (https://fundforteachers.org), an organization that supports educators in developing their skills and confidence to impact student achievement.

May Robert rest in peace, reunited with his beloved wife and family, and remembered always for his kindness, generosity, and love.