Robert Emmett Ruane , Sr.

Of Wheeling

Robert Emmett Ruane, Sr. was born on March 2, 1935, in Waterloo, Iowa to Thomas and Frances (nee McGuire) Ruane. He was the youngest of eight, and spoiled by all, and he loved it.

He died Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Northwest Community Hospital, JourneyCare Hospice in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Our dad Robert had a very generous spirit with boundless energy. It is hard to believe he only had two hands. When we think of our dad, we will picture him swinging a hammer in his right hand, sawing with his left, all the while measuring something with his feet. We know that if someone approached, he would drop everything and ask, "Beer? Wine? Highball? What can I get you?"

Our dad loved playing tricks and sharing stories. He often repeated them with slightly different versions in case you didn't catch it the first 100 times. Our poor mother was called all hours of the night to answer the question, "Hello, Is the wizard there?" If one of his children called Addolorata or the hospital to check on dad, we were asked, "Do you work in a casino? Are you a truck driver?" Dad loved to share stories about our family to anyone who would listen. He was so proud to be a father of seven and grandfather of nine.Our dad was a die hard Cubs, Bears, and Fighting Irish fan. He loved having all the kids over to watch the games. There was never a shortage of chips, cookies, brownies, Twizzlers, M&Ms and candy bars. We did not have a typical game time spread. Some Super Bowl Sundays were spent at the Gory's house. No girls allowed. Maybe that was a good thing. Rumor has it that some of his adventures with Hank, Mike, Tom, Jim and John ended with sirens and handcuffs. In full disclosure, we never found actual mugshots. The Gory family brought so much joy and adventure into our father's life.Dad and mom were adventurous. Dad would tell us kids to get up on their tiptoes to make sure they passed the height requirements for the best roller coasters. He would then race to get the last car on the track. Camping trips, whitewater rafting, parachuting are a few of his loves that he shared with his kids. He climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick in Ireland with Uncle Jack, Uncle Marty and mom. They made it safely to the top but the barstools in the pub afterward were a little more challenging.Unbeknownst to him, driving was not his best skill regardless of vehicle type. His kids built up a tolerance for motion sickness because of his version of driving which involved gas/break, gas/break, gas/break. Passengers on his golf cart should have been forewarned that they were putting themselves in a high risk situation. Ask Marge and grandkids about that one.

His final vehicle on Earth was an electric wheelchair. Poor mom and a few other residents at Addolorato crossed his path and received some bumps and bruises to prove it. Our dad lost his wheelchair for a while. We convinced staff to give him another chance. Dad called us every day to report on his week-long driving test. He would complain every day, "If they told me once, they told me a hundred times to slow down." We don't know if he was more excited about getting his license at sixteen or his electric wheelchair at eighty-five but his need for speed never ended. Mr. Ruane worked for over 42 years for Otis Elevator before retiring. Tom O'Malley, his brother from another mother, was his work partner in crime.

Robert was a member of Knights of Columbus in Waterloo, Iowa. a volunteer and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and a member of the Lions Club in Braidwood, Illinois. Robert served with the 11th Airborne Paratroopers from 1954 - 1956 during the Korean War.

His Catholic faith was very important to him and was part of all his best family celebrations and ceremonies. His final words were to express how much he loved everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Therese (nee Walsh) Ruane; his children Robert Ruane, Jr., Maureen (David) Henry, Sheila Gadbois, Eileen Ruane, Kathleen Ruane, and Peggy (Virgil) Seribo; his grandchildren, Andrea and Jacob Henry, Hannah, Luke, and Nicholas Gadbois, Carter Luna, Meggy, Gigi, and Terra Seribo; his brother, Br. Venard Ruane, MM. and his sister, Rita Bast.

Robert was preceded in death by his son, Thomas; his siblings Mary Gory, Nora Asch, Frances Felkins, Raymond Ruane, and Alice Albright; and his parents.

Dad may you rest in peace. On the other hand, soar through the heavens in your 57 Chevy at warp speed. Don't crash into the Pearly Gates when it is time for you to greet your family and friends when we see you again.

Visitation from 9:00 am until time of funeral service at 11:30 am, Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. Face masks are required, social distancing and capacity limits are in effect.

Meeting entry beginning at 11:20 am. Private Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Franciscan Ministries Addolorata Villa Gift of Care fund, https://www.franciscanministries.org/donate/

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.-0168.