Robert James (Bob) Kakuska, son of Frank and Rosalie Kakuska of Downers Grove, Illinois passed away peacefully Monday evening, July 16. Born on June 9, 1926, Bob recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. He is predeceased by his brother Frank, and wife of 68 years, Evelyn, who passed on December 7, 2017.
Bob graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1944, where he was a 4-year starter on the Varsity Football Team. An avid sportsman and outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and within a year was engaged in combat operations on Okinawa as a heavy machine gunner with the 10th Army, 96th Infantry Division, “The Deadeyes”, and received numerous commendations for meritorious achievement in battle including the Bronze Star. After WWII, Bob met and married the love of his life, Evelyn Roge, starting a family in Naperville, Illinois. He also resumed his lifetime love of working on cars. His career began at a local Buick dealership and eventually advanced to the position of an instructor at General Motors Institute, which relocated the family to Fenton, Michigan in 1966.
After retirement in 1985, Bob volunteered with the International Executive Service Corps, traveling to Jamaica for 3 years teaching the latest automotive repair and paint techniques. He and Evelyn moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico in 1990 to be near his son, Mike and his family, then relocated to Bend, Oregon in 2003 to be near his daughter, Nancy. After Evelyn passed away in December of 2017, Bob moved to North Palm Beach, Florida to live with his son, Reed.
Bob enjoyed restoring old cars and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, reading, watching his beloved Cubs, playing cards and dominos. An annual fishing trip to Phillips, Wisconsin was the highlight of his year, in fact, on the day he died he planned the final details of his next trip.
Bob was a mentor and friend to many. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his children: Mike (Linda) Kakuska of Ruidoso, New Mexico; Nancy (Bob) Haas of Bend, Oregon; Reed Kakuska (Tina Van De Graaf) of North Palm Beach, Florida. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michael Kakuska of San Diego, California; Erik (Kara) Kakuska and their children, Evy and Iza, of Portland, OR; Amanda (John) Gaston and their children, Knox and Mara of Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa; and Robert (Clair) Kakuska and their children, Robert James and Madelyn, of Reno, NV. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His family wishes to thank the Sunflower Team of Trustbridge Hospice and the doctors and nurses of the West Palm Beach Veterans Medical Center for their help and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local hospice.
Bob will be interred in the family plot in Chapel Hill Cemetery on August 3, 2018. A memorial service will be held Friday morning at 10 am in Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. A public vigil is scheduled from 3 – 8 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2018.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18