Robert Ladd

Robert V. Ladd

Born: Oct. 18, 1942

Died: May 27, 2011

Robert (Bob) Ladd 68, of Crystal Lake, Died unexpectedly at home on Friday May 27th.

He was born Oct. 18th, 1942 in Chicago, to John and Helen Ladd.

He married Joanna (nee DeBeer) Ladd on Jan. 27th, 1968 in Evanston at Howe Memorial Chapel located on the campus of Northwestern University.

He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1960. He was very involved as a class officer, the golf team and the baseball team where he pitched a no hitter. Much to his chagrin, he was also forced to dance the minuet (white wig and all) his senior year.

He then went on to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He left his senior year and enlisted in the United States Army where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. He served a year in Viet Nam and was there for the Tet Offensive in 1968. Upon the completion of service he re-entered the academic world at Northwestern and received a degree of journalism from the School of Medill, in 1965.

His business background began in Niles, IL, with Victor Golf. He prepared and wrote their merchandise catalogs that went out to golf pros nationwide. He went on to join a leading advertising agency in Chicago, Marsteller, Inc. In 1978, he joined the advertising agency his father founded (Ladd/Wells) thirty years before.

Moving to Crystal Lake in 1970, he became an involved member of the community. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, served on several committees and ushered. He worked on several District 47 referendums. He served on the NIMC Board and had a membership on the Centegra Foundation Board. He was a Centennial Member of the Union League Club of Chicago, served on the McHenry County Conservation Board and was a member of the Crystal Lake Country Club where he achieved, in 1995, every golfer’s dream, a hole-in-one. Most importantly he coached and was active in his children’s sports teams.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Joanna; his son, Andrew Ladd of Crystal Lake; his brother Jack (Adrienne) Ladd of San Francisco; sisters-in-law, Jeanne DeBeer of Chicago and Vanessa DeBeer of Louisville, KY; he was a loving uncle to Jeff, Greg and David DeBeer, all of Louisville, Joseph Ladd of San Francisco and Alexandra Ladd-Graeser and Jessica Ladd of New Mexico, Derek Gilmore of Denver, CO, and Genevra DeBeer Knight of Chicago. As well, there are 8 great nieces and nephews along with his cousins Susie Calderwood, Margie Lambert and Bob Lash.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by an infant daughter, his beloved daughter Samantha Blair Ladd, his sister Sandra Ladd Gilmore and his brothers-in-law Peter and Paul DeBeer.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 11,2011, at 11 am, at First United Methodist Church, 236 W Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, (815) 459-0785.

Memorials in his name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Attn: Donor Services, Wounded Warrior Project, 720 AC Skinner Pkwy Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256-6938 or St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or to the “Robert V. Ladd” family.

Memorial Service: 11am, Saturday, June 11, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, 236 W Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake