Bob leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Carol; son, Bob Jr. and wife Heather and daughter, Therese and husband Neil. He was blessed with four wonderful grandchildren, Alaina and Kyle and Kellen and Coby and three “grand dogs” (even if he was slightly allergic to them), Timber, Winston, and Chewy.
Professionally and in life, Bob was a man of humble intelligence, unique vision, and high ethical standards. He strove for excellence, receiving a bachelors, masters, and a doctorate in electrical engineering, working at Motorola for 22 years and was never afraid to challenge the status quo. The true father of the Motorola iDEN technology, he never sought accolades or recognition, instead making sure to share the credit with the hard-working engineers who helped him bring his vision to fruition. He valued loyalty and friendship over the more mundane rewards in life.
At first glance, Bob was a very serious man and husband; but to those who knew him best, he had a sneaky sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. Of course, those same people know that Carol always kept him on his toes, as she has ever been a joker with a quick wit. Bob came to rely on this wackiness to help keep him grounded when life’s stresses would pile up. Their marriage was truly a partnership of two people who understood and supported each other, knowing that if they had each other things would work out.
Most of all, Bob was a devoted family man who epitomized the phrase “Dad is always there when you need him.” Regardless of the demands of work, he always prioritized his family’s needs over his own. He always made time for his children and worked hard to pass on his values, making sure that they understood the importance of hard work versus relying on intelligence or talent alone, confidence over arrogance, and doing the right thing not the easy thing. He encouraged them to persevere and passed along his stubbornness to never give up and, above all, to be good people and truly care about those around you.
"Husband, father, grandpa, and friend, we will all miss you. The world would be a better place if there were more like you. Rest easy knowing that you gave much of yourself and that those of us who knew you well have taken the best of you into who we are and carry your legacy forward. We will always love you."
No formal service will be held. A private family celebration of life will take place in Chicago, IL.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Janc family.
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