Roberta Svacha

Known by family and friends by the name Bobbie, she was born June 8,1927, in Rockford, IL the only child of Kent A. and Naomi (nee Waffle) Hemming.

 While Bobbie was still a child, her mother became ill and was forced to move with Bobbie back to her former home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  Bobbie attended primary and secondary school in Fond du Lac.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, her mother’s alma matter, with a degree in chemistry.

  After graduating, she was employed at a petroleum research company known then as Universal Oil Products, where she was also employed as a librarian, a technical writer, an assistant personnel manager, and ended her career in the Patent Department after 37 years with the company.

  While employed she met her future husband, Roy E. Svacha, whom she married October 13, 1951.  They had no children.  Shortly after marriage, Bobbie underwent the first of three spinal surgeries due to a fall she experienced while in college.  Bobbie knew some degree of pain from that fall for the balance of her life. 

 In addition to working a full time job at Universal Oil Products, she volunteered as the chief communications operator and a sworn member for the Police Department of the Village of North Barrington from 1961 to 1975.  Her work in the field included, investigating incidents in which young people, usually girls, would not speak with male officers. 

 Bobbie was the treasurer of the Village of North Barrington from 1976 to 2009, refusing salary.  Bobbie was an active member of the local League of Women Voters, Hospice Association, and American Association of University Women (AAUW).  When attending conventions for these organizations she would not accept reimbursement for travel or accommodations.  She was spoken of as the perfect volunteer.  She was also a member of the Barrington Area Council on Aging, (BACOA), where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

 Bobbie was the first female to be appointed as a trustee on the Cuba Township Board, where she was advocate and steward for the taxpayer for the past 36 years.  She loved to play Bridge, read, and travel.  Bobbie lived with her husband in the Barrington countryside for over 50 years.

 She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Roy E. Svacha and several nieces and nephews.

 Visitation will be 4-8p.m. Tues. Nov. 8, 2011 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St (Lake-Cook Rd) Barrington.  Funeral service will be held at 11a.m. Wed., Nov. 9 at the funeral home. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery will follow the service.

 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cuba Township or Cuba Cares Fund, 28000 W. Cuba Road, Barrington IL 60010.

Visitation will be 4-8pm. Tuesday Nov. 8 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St (Lake-Cook) Road, Barrington.

Service will be held 11a.m. Wednesday Nov. 9 at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cuba Township or Cuba Cares Fund, 28000 W. Cuba Rd., Barrington, IL  60010.