Obituaries

Robert Grant Taylor, Junior, age 82, died peacefully in Geneva, Illinois on February 18, 2018. While most people knew him as “Bob”, he was “Pappy” to his family.
He is survived by his wife, Marie, St. Charles, IL, brother Bruce, Jacksonville, FL, daughter Robin Radvak, Longwood FL, (Mike) daughter Laurie Lundborg, Batavia IL (Dave) son Mark, Laguna Hills, CA, (Kim) as well as grandchildren Alexandra, Grantley, Erik, Margaret, and Paige
Bob was born on May 23, 1935 in Paterson, NJ, to Grant and Margaret Taylor. He grew up in the family restaurant on Route 17 in Paramus, surrounded by staff that became his extended family. Bob was born an engineer, and after his graduation from Ridgewood High School, he took his skills and aspirations to Cambridge, MA where he graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1957 with a Masters and Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. During that time, he also graduated from the Army ROTC officer’s program and the Bell Laboratory co-op program. After graduation, he began his research career at Bell Labs in Cherry Hill, NJ and later, in Naperville, IL.
Bob’s mother and one of the restaurant staff’s wives saw in Bob the perfect match for Luanna Marie Dring. Bob patiently taught Marie how to drive a stick-shift Ford Falcon, and helped her with her college Physics class. On March 31, 1962, they wed in Hackensack, NJ and began their life together. Soon after, they welcomed their first daughter, Robin, followed by another daughter, Laurie.
In 1967, Bell Labs built their large facility in Naperville, and many engineers and their families moved to the Midwest. The Taylor family set down roots in St. Charles, and expanded by one when son Mark arrived.
Outside of work, Bob had interest in weather, automobiles, coin collecting, news, and inventory control in the pantry. It might surprise some, but Bob was the primary grocery shopper when the kids were growing up, following a route between grocery stores to get the best prices. If you ever needed to know the best price on soda or cereal, he would be the one to ask.
Bob retired from the Bell System and enjoyed being at home with his family and pets. Edison, Red, and especially Tinsel will miss their Pappy and his snacks.
Services will be held on Thursday, March 1st at Bethany Lutheran Church in Batavia. Visitation will be at 10:00 in the Fellowship Hall followed by a memorial service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project;Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or woundedwarriorproject.org. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Michaelsen Health Center, Delnor Hospital, Delnor Hospice Care and especially Dr. Kishori Santwani

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