Robert Steinmetz
October 1, 1932 — April 4, 2017
Robert Richard Steinmetz, 84 passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born October 1, 1932 in Chicago to William and Virginia Steinmetz and grew up in Norwood Park. He has been a resident of Barrington since 1969.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Susan (Klise) Steinmetz; daughters, Ann (Mark) O’Connell of Johnsburg, and Jane (Steve) Fish, of Barrington. The pride and joy of his life were his grandchildren; Ryan, Amelia, and Andrew Fish, and Rebecca and Austin O’Connell.
As a boy Bob played the trumpet in the Norwood Park Drum and Bugle Corp. He played football at Taft High School in Chicago and at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, where he was a Sigma Phi Epsilon. He graduated in 1954. After college Bob served in the Army during the Korean War, serving two years at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas.
In 1959, Robert married the love of his life, Susan, and the couple honeymooned in Hawaii the year it became a state. Robert spent his life working with pumps and meters. He worked for Gould’s Pumps both in Chicago and Detroit. Robert was the President of Steinmetz and Associates and finished his career at Accurate Metering.
Bob was active in his community serving as both the head of the Tennis Committee in Fox Point and was the President of the Fox Point Homeowners Association. He was also an officer in the Presbyterian Church of Barrington. Bob loved to fish and was a season ticket holder for the Chicago Bears. He was also an avid tennis player. In 1987, Robert suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. His strength and perseverance allowed him to exceed all expectations and live a long and active life. Everyone who knew Bob was drawn to his larger than life personality. He loved to tell stories and could talk about his grandchildren for hours. Nothing brought him more joy than his family.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill; and grandson, Austin James O’Connell.
Visitation will be 6-8pm, Friday, April 7 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St., Barrington. Funeral Service will be at 11am, Saturday, April 8 at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road, Barrington. There will be visitation at the church from 10am until the service. Burial will be private in Evergreen Cemetery.