Robert O. Ander

Our dad, Robert O. Ander, age 94, of Northbrook, IL, passed away on December 25, 2021. Dad was born in Chicago, IL to parents, Edward and Pauline (Hitzeman) Ander on February 23, 1927. He was the younger brother to Lloyd and Earl.

Dad attended Grace Lutheran Elementary School in Chicago, where he graduated as valedictorian. Upon his graduation in 1945 from Morton High School in Chicago, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served just one year, and was discharged as an Aviation Electronic Technicians Mate. He was able to go on to college at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Dad graduated with high honors from the U of I College of Engineering in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He retired from the Bodine Electric Company, Chicago, in 1989 after 31 years of service.

Dad met his future wife and our mother, Colleen Hall, while attending an evening art class at Northwestern University. They were married on October 24, 1953 and a family soon followed. The couple raised us four children; Melody Leigh, Mark Robert, Marguerite Colleen, and Alice Mae. Mom and Dad bought their first home in Westchester, IL, and then their second home in Northbrook, IL, where they resided for 40 years. They were active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Northbrook. Throughout their married life, Mom and Dad enjoyed extensive travel in the US and abroad, including China, Egypt, and most of Europe. But we will not forget the many, many happy weeks over the years that were spent in Ludington, MI on Hamlin Lake with family.

Our Father was an avid fisherman and even created the “Robert Ander Fishing Trophy,” which was passed to the fisherman in the family that caught the biggest fish each year. Also an avid gardener, Dad enjoyed the countless hours cultivating the beautiful flowers in his backyard.

An apartment in the Covenant Village Retirement Community of Northbrook became home for Mom and Dad in 2010. We will be forever grateful to our father for his patience and strength as he cared for our mom through her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease until she passed away in 2013.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, at 11am. Friends may greet the family from 10am until time of service. Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Robert’s name to Grace Christian Academy, 4106 W. 28th St., Chicago, Il 60623. Grace School held a special place in Robert’s heart, as he was an alumni of the elementary school and supported the academy for many years with annual contributions. For more information, you can visit their website at www.gcachicago.org.

ABOUT GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL -

"Grace Lutheran School was founded in 1896 at the corner of 28th Street and Karlov. Five years later, Grace Lutheran Church opened across the street. Together, the school and the church committed to serving their German-Lutheran Community in the small neighborhood on the Southwest side of the city of Chicago. This area is known as 'Little Village.'

During the decades following the opening of Grace School and Grace Church, the demographics of the neighborhood began to shift. As the Chicago Suburbs grew, many members and supporters of both the church and the school moved out of the city. More and more immigrants were moving to Chicago and many were settling in the community around the school What had once been home to immigrants from Germany and Eastern Europe slowly became the new home of an increasing number of immigrants from Mexico and other countries throughout Latin America.

Today, Grace is an RSO (Registered non-profit Service Organization). Grace is no longer under the leadership of the NID or Grace Lutheran Church, which also means it no longer receives weekly fina cial support from the NID or a congregation. Instead, the school relies on tuition, fundraising, and the generous donations of friends and alumni to stay open.

In 2010, the name 'Grace Christian Academy' was adopted. While the new name helps Grace better connect with its neighbors, the mission remains the same as it was in 1896: Bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the children living in the Little Village neighborhood.

It takes approximately $6200/year to educate each child at Grace Christian Academy. However, the majority of families which Grace serves (80%) are below 185% of the poverty line. These families make major sacrifices just to pay the $1700 average annual tuition which Grace charges. We cannot complete our calling to provide Christian education in Little Village without the support of our generous churches and donors! Whether you are able to give monthly or once a year, we are grateful for your partnership to provide our families with great Christian education. Your donations go directly towards the fund that ensures any family desiring quality, Christian education is able to receive the financial assistance that they need." - From the Grace Christian Academy Website

Rober Ander (Class of 1941) and his brothers, Lloyd (Class of 1935) and Earl (Class of 1938) were all alumni of Grace School. Robert was valedictorian of his class and we found his valedictory speech among his memorabilia. Grace School obviously held a special spot in his heart as he continued to support the academy for many years with annual donations.