Robert Powell

Robert Mercer Powell died peacefully on June 29, 2011 at The Pepper Family Hospice in Barrington, IL, aged 92. Robert is survived by his four loving daughters, Maria, Pia, Julie and Amy. Robert was also blessed with four beautiful grandchildren, Ptolemy, Max, Madeleine and Ce-Lai, and son-in-laws, Peter, Art and Simon. Robert was married for 52 years to his blue eyed beauty, the late Loraine Powell Bertolini.

Robert was born in Columbia, MO, in 1919, the youngest of 10 children. In 1935 he followed his siblings, Beth and Tipton, to New Orleans where, with the support of Beth and his other siblings, he finished High School and studied English at Louisiana State University. In 1943, he enlisted in the army and headed to Europe where he served under General Eisenhower. He continued to serve in Europe for several years after the war, before returning to the US to complete his Master’s degree at Northwestern University. It was there that he met Loraine on a blind date. They married in 1954 and remained in the Chicago area for the rest of their lives.

After graduating from Northwestern, Robert worked briefly at the National Safety Council and taught English at Roosevelt and Wright University before becoming one of the founding members of the faculty at Harper Community College in Hoffman Estates. Although he was always happiest in the classroom, Roberts’ students and peers regarded him not just as a teacher but as a mentor, and he was soon elected as President of the Faculty Senate and later as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Many of his Harper students and colleagues have commented on the significant influence Robert had on all who worked and studied with him. Indeed, he is still considered something of an institution by Harper alumni and faculty alike.

Robert will be remembered by his children and grandchildren for his sage advice and knowledge, by his friends for his lifelong love of golf and the St. Louis Cardinals, and by his students, faculty and coworkers both for his love of English and American literature and as a great mentor, professor, intellect and guiding light.

His family and friends hold fond memories of his beautiful and moving poetry, Easter egg hunts, Fourth of July celebrations and of his ‘making magic’ for the children. No one lucky enough to have shared with Robert a firework display, town parade or bagpipe rendition will see one again without thinking of him.

Robert is preceded in death by his adored wife Loraine, his parents, siblings and most recently his much beloved sister, Beth who passed away 3 weeks prior to Robert at the grand age of 97.

Robert and Loraine will be interred together at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. A Memorial Service will be held at Harper College, Room A238, Building A, at 11am on Friday 26 August 2011. Friends and colleagues are welcome to join the family to celebrate and commemorate Robert’s long and fruitful life and his many contributions to the community. In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted by the Harper College Educational Foundation - attention the Robert Powell Memorial Fund.1200 West Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously accepted by the Harper College Educational Foundation - attention the Robert Powell Memorial Fund.1200 West Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067.

Memorial Service: 11 a.m. August 26, 2011 at Harper College, Room A238, Building A