Robert Lee Pence

Bob was born in Louisville, KY on June 16, 1939, to the late Carl Edward Pence and Mary Louise Reed. Bob’s parents moved their family to the south side of Chicago in the late 1940s. At age 17, when his father became disabled and unable to work, Bob left school in order to support his mother and six younger siblings, beginning his lifelong career as an ironworker.

A member of Ironworker Local 1, Bob served as foreman on many landmark Chicago area projects, including the Sears Tower, John Hancock Building, Harold Washington Library, NBC Tower, Six Flags Great America and Abbott Laboratories.

Bob met the love of his life, the former Sandra Meisinger, after she whistled at him as he walked by her high school while on his work lunch break. They married on May 12, 1962 and proceeded to have 7 children in the span of 9 years.

In 1970, Bob’s ironwork brought him to the Zion Nuclear Power Plant. He moved his family to be closer to that job, buying the largest home possible in the newly-constructed Grandwood Park, where he would reside the remainder of his life. Despite the original square-tile family-room floor being covered by carpet, to this date all of Bob’s seven kids know the layout of those tiles and are able to go “sit-on-that-square” for disciplinary purposes.

Bob had no greater love than family. In addition to his children, grandchildren and siblings, Bob was blessed with a multitude of cousins in Kentucky whom he saw at annual family reunions. Bob was a gambling man; he enjoyed poker, pinochle, cribbage and the occasion visit to the casino. Bob’s passing reunites the Bob-Sandy-Marty-Tina card-playing foursome in heaven where in the midst of reunion joy there is likely already a bit of grumbling about the hands of cards.

Bob was a member of the Catholic Church and a man of strong faith. At each family celebration, his family gathered in a large circle, holding hands to recite the “Our Father”. Hospitalized and being given last rites, upon conclusion Bob stretched out his arms, palms up closed his eyes and said “Let’s get this party started”, expecting to immediately ascend into heaven. Instead, he rallied for three full days of beer-sipping and game-playing with his children and grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Sandy, stillborn son Kevin, brothers Ted and Don, and sisters Sandy and Star. Bob is survived by his seven children, Bob (Julie), Paul (Roni), Bill (Jennifer), Cindy (Jerry), Laura (Marty), Jeff (April), and Brian (Sheri). He was a beloved grandpa to 16 and great-grandpa to 5. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike and Larry, and his goddaughter Katie.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for June 2022. The family will provide details when available.