Robert "Duke" J. Doyle

Robert “Duke” Doyle, 82, of Union, Illinois, formerly of Dundee, Illinois, passed away on October 5, 2021 at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois. He was surrounded by a room filled past capacity with loving family members, and he passed peacefully knowing that he was not alone in life or death.

Duke was born in Elgin, Illinois to John and Ruth (Rossow) Doyle. He married his one-and-only love, Mary, on December 7, 1965 in Dundee, Illinois. Together they raised 5 children: Dan (Dundeana) of Palm Desert, California; Laurie (Bob) Bennett of Rockford, Illinois; Steve (Darcy) of Marengo, Illinois; Bob (Jr.) of Huntley, Illinois; and Randy (Meagan) of Huntley, Illinois.

Duke graduated from Dundee Community High School in 1957 where he excelled both academically and athletically, playing baseball, football, and basketball. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army, returning to Dundee to masterfully play centerfield for the Masi’s semi-professional baseball team.

Duke worked as a lineman for Commonwealth Edison, retiring in 1999 after 33 years. After his family, his most passionate loves were his dogs (Lacy and JJ), his Cubbies, the Blackhawks, and the Bears, and the rounds of beers that accompanied watching his favorite teams play. One of his stated greatest achievements was living to see his Cubbies win the World Series in 2016. He loved watching the varieties of birds, especially the hummingbirds, that he attracted with his carefully tended feeders. A talented woodworker, he spent hours making and refinishing pieces of furniture and toys that his family will forever treasure.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, his 5 children, his brother, Kenneth (Norma) of Phoenix, Arizona and his sister, Donna Voss of Burlington, Illinois. In addition, memories of Duke will forever remain in the hearts of his 10 grandchildren (Shayne, Eamon, Jordan, Alex, Kirkley, Casey, Carissa, Samantha, Hunter, and Libby) and his 5 great-grandchildren (Cai, Elia, Laela, Gus, and Jacob.)

A Celebration of Duke will be held at a date to be determined.