Robert "Bob" Bond Griffin, Jr.

Robert “Bob” Bond Griffin, Jr., 94, of Barrington and Deer Park, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025. He was born on January 24, 1931 in Miami, Florida to the late Robert Sr. and Rita Brill Griffin.

Bob graduated from Florida State University where he was editor of the Florida Flambeau school newspaper. Upon graduation, Bob served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, flying sea planes out of Bermuda. It was there he met his wife Olga “Babs” Horlington Griffin, a native Bermudian. Bob and Babs later organized a 40-year reunion of his naval squadron.

Bob’s 35-year career with Prudential Insurance Co. took him around the country with a final stop in Chicago where he was the Director of Group Sales. Bob and family moved to Fox Point in Barrington in 1970, and he and Babs were among the first presidents of the Lines School PTO. For years, Bob walked his beloved Welsh Terrier, Huw, around the school, often finding coins the students had dropped. He was on the board of the Friends of the Barrington Area Library and worked diligently to increase membership.

Bob was dearly beloved by his thirteen grandchildren. His book “Out of the Mouths of Babes” gathered funny sayings uttered by his children and grandchildren when they were young and is a special family keepsake.

He was kind, loving, and enthusiastic, and always put great energy into his community projects. Bob was a champion of Civil Rights and served as President of the Unitarian Churches in New Orleans, Louisiana and Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Olga “Babs” Griffin. He is survived by his four children, Sarah (Bob) Wippman, Lisa (Paul) Horcher, Janice (Brad) Hack, and William (Linda) Griffin, thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a niece, and two nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday July 26, 2025. Details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida State University’s Care Academic Support Fund to support first-generation students, Donate Online or to a charity of your choice.