Robert Saar Obituary

Robert Peter (Bob) Saar, 80, passed away peacefully, February 14, in Sarasota, FL at the Tidewell Hospice House, after a courageous fight against cancer, with his wife, son and sister at his bed side. A celebration of Bob's life will be held Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Christ of Downers Grove, 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL. Born in Chicago, IL, Bob graduated from Lane Tech High School. in 1946, he was accepted into the V-12 Naval Officer Training Program. In 1948, Bob received a Bachelor of Naval Science degree, from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. Bob continued his education at the University of Illinois, Champaign, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree. During his college years, Bob was a member of Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity and the Pi Tau Sigma Honorary fraternity. Bob spent thirty years at Henry Pratt Company where he designed large Butterfly and Ball valves for Electric Power Plants and Sewage and Water District systems. He was in charge of Research and Development, serving as VP of Engineering for several years and received several patents during his time with the company. In June of 1948, Bob married Lois Talcott. They were together until her death in 1968. In 1969, Bob married Karen Fichtel-Storry. They raised seven children, two sons, Robert T. Saar and Martin Saar, five daughters, Sandra Saar Garza, Sharon Saar, Pamela Saar Buyck, Jeanine Storry Meyer and Michelle Storry Braaten. They have fifteen grandchildren. Bob has one sister, Dorothy Saar Norene Strenk. Bob was a Director of Downers Grove National Bank since 1972. He was very instrumental in the building of the Indian Boundary YMCA in Downers Grove. In his youth, Bob excelled at many athletic activities including weight lifting, water skiing, golden gloves boxing, roller skating, football, racquet ball and track and field. During retirement, Bob spent many happy years near Vail, CO where he was involved with the Vail Club 50. He was an avid cycler, hiker, skier, snowshoer, golfer and tennis player. He had to leave his beloved mountains in Sept. 2007 because of health reasons. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Robert Saar at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas, 77210-4486/Mesothelioma Research; www.mdanderson.org/gifts (1-800-525-5841) For info: www.toonfuneralhome.com or 1-630-968-0408