Robert Phillip Lang

Robert was a wonderful man known by so many different names, Bob, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Bob, Mr. Lang, Coach and the Bulldawg. He was the only child of Phyllis and Karl Lang growing up on Chicago's Northside. His love of athletics flourished at Roosevelt High school and landed him on the football team at Northern Iowa University, the "Teacher's College". After graduating, Bob returned to Chicago and began his teaching and coaching career where his passion for sports allowed him to teach children in 1st-8th grade the athletic skills and coaching techniques that took some onto professional sports careers. In the fall of 1963, Maureen Hogan was the newly hired teacher at Komarek School in North Riverside, and their life of love began. Bob and Maureen Riverside married on June 20, 1964, and by 1970 had four children: Kery, Mike, Kathy and Tom. Family meant everything to Bob, and he took great pleasure in spending time together with weekends in Mundelein at Maureen's parent's home surrounded by the large Hogan family. Weekly Sunday dinner at his parent's home had a sprinkling of other family gatherings, especially at his Aunt Helen's Brookfield home with all the Vitha cousins.

Bob achieved his master's degree from George William's College and taught Physical education, Health, and Driver's Education at Komarek, Morton Junior College and Riverside Brookfield High school, respectively. After years of teaching, Bob left education and went into sales where he flourished in a territory that took him from Detroit to the Quad Cities. Working in Michigan and traveling home to La Grange Park eventually culminated in his purchase of their dream Lakehouse in Three Rivers, Michigan. This allowed family time to spill over to beautiful Pleasant Lake. Bob worked hard and was a dedicated son to his mother until her death at age 97. After her death, he spent years traveling with Maureen to spend time with their children in Georgia, Colorado, and North Carolina. Maureen and Bob enjoyed wintering in Tierra Verde, Florida and spending much of their summer a t Pleasant Lake out on his beloved pontoon boat. They were blessed with three grandchildren, Kaelen, Jack and Charlie from their two daughters. Bob was so proud of his children and loved to tell friends and family of their successful lives.

Bob was a Bears season ticket holder from 1962 to 2023 cheering on his Chicago Bears through three stadiums and two Superbowl's. He was a master of tailgating and befriended all who enjoyed the fun of watching the games. Bob was a great neighbor enjoyed by the STONE AVENUE CREW and a loyal friend to many around him especially the Lynches, Leitels, Burkes and his St. Francis Xavier parish family. He found time in his busy life to focus on his art and loved to create art for others giving away tons of pastels and paintings he did just for that particular person.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Maureen, his first-born daughter Kerry and Craig Kiefer and their children Carson Kiefer and Kaelen & Kevin Herlihy, his first-born son Michael Lang, his daughter Kathleen and Mike Diemer and their sons Jack and Charlie Diemer, and his youngest son, Thomas Lang and his wife, Dora. He loved them all deeply showing his love to each in their own unique way, and his generous love will be greatly missed. Bob's enormous family of Hogans, Vithas, Fahrows, and friends, students, neighbors, players and co-workers all were blessed to have Bob Lang in their lives.

Celebration(s) of Life are currently being planned for late spring/early summer, and more information is forthcoming. You can reach out for more information by emailing Kathy Diemer: www.johnnybgoodsdiner.com