Raymond George Byrnes

Raymond "Bob" Byrnes, 88 of Oak Lawn, Illinois passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025 at home. Bobby was born on October 6, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to Helen Marie Goeppner Byrnes and Raymond Byrnes. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Ruth (nee Zenawick) for 67 years.

Bobby was the Director of Research and Development at the University of Chicago. He worked on some incredible projects such as the cloud and bubble chamber. To say Bobby is talented is an understatement. He was an amazing, inventive, ingenious, creative and extremely gifted man. Some of Bobby's hobbies included: metal and wood working, photography, painting, and stained glass. He was busy with a project until the very end. He was an avid traveler who visited over 80 countries with his loving wife. Bobby was a mentor who always gave of his time and talent.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Ruth Byrnes, his sister Mary Beth Smit and many nieces, nephews, and family members. He is preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Ann Byrnes Kelleher (1972). He also leaves to cherish his memory Ruth’s side of the family, including nieces the late Claudia (Jack) Power, Kathy (Tim) Holle, Jayne Zenawick, the late Vicki (Lou) Ornoff, and Kimberly (Ron) Vales; nephew Robert (Melissa) Zenawick; great-nephews Tyler Holle, Jason Zenawick, Joshua Zenawick, and Matthew Vales; and great-nieces Christy Agnew, Rachel Ornoff, and Jessica Zenawick.

Bob was a proud graduate of St. Basil’s Grammar School and St. Rita High School. He went on to complete a four-year apprenticeship in tool and die at Crane High School. Bobby held his first job at Skip Liquor Store, earning $1.00 an hour.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19th 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd Street, Oak Lawn. Funeral Wednesday, August 20th prayers from Blake-Lamb Funeral Home at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady at St. Germaine Church, 9711 S. Kolin Avenue, Oak Lawn. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip.