Robert Wayne Vanderberg

Robert Wayne Vanderberg of Castle Rock, Colorado, was born January 19, 1948 in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, to Marjorie Van Erden and John Vanderberg, the third of five children in his family.

As a lanky young man, Bob had the reputation of being a class leader. He was easy going and was quoted as saying “I think that probably all that really matters is being able to do something you enjoy.” He possessed dreams of one day becoming a major league baseball player. “I decided to kiss off that idea, though, when I found I couldn’t hit the curve ball in the Oak Park Little League” he recalled with a grin.

By the time he entered Oak Park River Forest High School, the “Blonde Bullet,” as he was dubbed by his freshman football coach, was entertaining thoughts of a career either as a cross-country truck driver or a CTA motorman. After transferring during his Junior year in high school to Glen Ellyn Glenbard West High School, Bob was encouraged to write for the school paper and explore journalism.

Bob headed to Holland, Michigan where he was the sports editor of the Hope College Anchor. Bob also spent time at North Central College in Naperville, but later returned to Hope College and became a regular sports columnist possessing an entertaining flair and sarcastic wit. “It was there that I began to feel confident that I could make it someday as a sports writer. I started pointing for the day when I would be sitting in the press box at Comiskey Park, writing my story and actually getting paid for it,” Bob recalled. Bob ultimately forged a career as a Sports Writer for the Chicago Tribune.

Bob served in the Army at Fort Lewis in Washington. He is survived by his wife Trish, son Brad, his brother Bruce, and sisters Suzie and Sharon. Bob was preceded in death by his brother Roger.

Robert passed away October 27, 2022 in Colorado.

A a celebration of life for Robert will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Katherine Legge Memorial Lodge, 5901 S. County Line Road, Hinsdale, IL 60521.

Contributions in Robert's memory may be made to Michael J Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777 , New York, New York 10613 US, https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/421686/#!/donation/checkout;

Colorado Palliative and Hospice Care , 6551 S. Revere Parkway, Suite 130, Centennial, Colorado 80111 US, https://www.coloradophc.com/contact/donate/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Vanderberg family.