Robert Erwin Bruce Jr., 85, of River Forest and Oak Park, died peacefully in Lebanon, Illinois on Jan. 13, 2025. Born in 1939 to Robert and Ruth Bruce Sr., of Oak Park, with his twin sister, Priscilla, Bob began his life with two sisters on Scoville Avenue. He attended Hawthorne grade school (now Julian Middle School) and went on to letter in three sports, football, basketball and baseball at Oak Park and River Forest High School in the graduating class of 1957. He attended Taylor University and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Social Studies Education. He served three years (1962-1965) in the Marines, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in 1965. He earned two master’s degrees from the University of Illinois (M. Ed, Guidance and Counseling) and Loyola University (M. Ed, Administration and Supervision). He spent nine summers, 1979-88, at University of Illinois Chicago as a guidance counselor for incoming students.
At Proviso West High School in Hillside for 25 years, he was a guidance counselor and also coached many basketball teams. A member of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, he served on the church board, volunteered in Boys’ Brigade, on the softball team, drove the church bus, and led the church’s bowling league. During his retirement years, his joy was traveling with Robin to watch his son play baseball and he also played golf with friends. He also served on the board of the Oak Park YMCA and volunteered weekly as a counselor for Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Robin H. Bruce. He is survived by his two sisters, Joyce O’Brien and Priscilla Bruce; his three children, Jennifer (Brad) Giemza, Bonnie (Tom) Krumsieg, and Robert (Erin) Bruce III; his 11 grandchildren, Jackson Giemza, Abigail Giemza, Ellie (Micah) Forshee, Jonathan (Nikki) Krumsieg, David Krumsieg, Luke (Elizabeth) Krumsieg, Grace Krumsieg, Hannah Krumsieg, Naomi Krumsieg, Fiona Bruce and Robert “Bobby” Bruce; and great-grandchildren Ezra, Elianna, & Hazel Krumsieg and Robin Forshee.
A chapel service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home in Forest Park, with visitation at the funeral home from 10-11a.m.
In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park.