Robert E. Cline

Robert E. Cline, 84, passed away June 17, 2021. Bob was born in 1936 in Chicago to parents, Dorothy and Otto Cline. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Valparaiso University where he majored in business administration and history and enjoyed his time on the bowling team. His teammates nicknamed him The Good Dr. Keener (though we’re not sure he ever said why). After graduation, Bob married his college sweetheart, the late Patti Weil, and was drafted into the Army. He served from 1959-1962, achieving the rank of specialist 5. His last unit was the military district of Washington, DC, where Bob served in the Pentagon and walked a solemn path through Arlington National Cemetery on his way to work each day. On May 7, 1962, Bob became a State Farm agent where he served Glenview and the surrounding suburbs for 48 years, retiring on May 7, 2010. Bob got to know so many of his clients personally and absolutely everywhere he went, he ran into friends. Eleven years after his retirement, his ‘insureds’ still ask the new agent how Bob is doing. If you know Bob, you certainly like him and probably love him.

In 1992, Bob married Penny Insley, joining two small families into one seamlessly blended tribe, with a bond and support for one another that is a reflection of Bob’s profoundly kind, loving, welcoming, wonderful heart.   

Bob endured the most horrific pain any parent could experience with the loss of his twins, James who died at 15 days and John who passed away at 27 years old. Bob and Penny devotedly cared for John throughout his difficult final months. Despite these tragedies and because Bob was blessed with his cherished son Tom and a family that seemed to grow, adding more wonderful people all the time, Bob had a joyous spirit that lifted everyone around him. He never hesitated to open his heart and his home to people he knew needed a father figure in their lives. He was always ready with a corny joke, a big hug, baseball and football chat, and plenty of stories from history.   

Loving husband of 29 years to Penny. Adoring father of his beloved Thomas (Ann), the late John, the late James, Jessica (Steve) Sieghart, and Pamela (Dave) Krueger. Devoted "GrandBob" to Grands: Alex (Kelly), McKenzie, Allie, Logan, Piper, Ariana (Steven), Samantha (Vanessa), Erica (Joe), Danny, David, Lana, and Julianna, and to Greats: Carter, Emmy, Taylor, Declan, Reagan, and the brand new Gavin. Bob was an only child but was blessed with cousins, Charlene, Shirley, and Marilyn, who he was close to throughout his life.

Bob was a Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cardinals (presently in Arizona) fan, a golf enthusiast, and a World War II historian – especially the Pacific War. He generously supported many charities throughout his life, including and especially the Wounded Warrior Project. Instead of flowers, please consider a contribution to this organization in Bob's name. Graveside service held privately.

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