Robert R. Duda Sr.

Robert R. Duda Sr., 75, of Deer Park, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2023. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Frank and Julia Duda, and was raised in Cloverdale.

Bob was an exceptional husband to Louise, his wife of 52 years, and proud father to his sons, Bob and Bill. He was a loving grandfather to his granddaughters and enjoyed spending time with his entire family. Bob earned a bachelor’s degree from UIC and an MBA from Loyola, and honorably served in the U.S Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam era. His long and successful career in the insurance industry allowed him to travel extensively and cultivate his great love of culinary experiences, always jumping at the chance to recommend the best places to eat in any city he visited. Whether cooking or partaking, he had an equal appreciation for the simplistic purity of a Gene & Jude’s hotdog or Johnnie’s combo, and the layered complexity of a culinary transcendence at Charlie Trotter’s or Alinea. Bob loved watching Chicago Cubs and Bears games while toiling away at his crosswords and Sudoku, and reveling in his love of music from his era.

Bob is survived by his children, Robert (Erica) Duda Jr. and William Duda; grandchildren, Olivia and Madeline Duda; siblings, Frank (Pam) Duda and Dick (Sandi) Duda; sisters in law, Diana Duda and CL Duda; in laws, Joe (Juliana) Petruzzini, Mary (Marcos) Ayala, Anna (Jim) Zajicek, and Vince (Diane)
Petruzzini; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife, Louise Duda, brothers, Don and Tom Duda, and sister in law, Antonette Petruzzini. Service will be held privately.