Robert Sauber

Robert “Bob” Joseph Sauber, Sr., age 81, of Maple Park, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.
Bob was born in Virgil, IL, on March 4, 1938, to proud parents William and Lillian (Hardt) Sauber.
In his early years, Bob was student at St. Peter and Paul School and later attended high school at Marmion Military Academy until he could enlist in the United States Navy. Bob served his country faithfully for six years.
Bob returned to civilian life and married Sandy Jones. Together they were blessed with two children, Bob Jr. and Bill. Later Bob and Sandy went their separate ways, but fate smiled on him once again in 1973. Bob met the love of life, Melinda Yarbrough, through mutual friends on a blind date. “Little Miss Daisy” as he affectionately called her, stole his heart. They started dating in April and were married by July 28, 1973. Bob and Melinda moved to Villa Park, IL, for a short time before they moved west to DeKalb, IL, where they welcomed their three sons: Ryan, Jason, and Erik.
While in the Navy, Bob was in the Seabees working as an underwater welder, electrician, and pole-man. Back home he was a painter and also worked at Elburn Packing Plant.
Bob was an avid member of the Lions Club for many years.
In his spare time, Bob loved to take his boat out and also enjoyed all types of water sports. On some weekend evenings, he took Melinda out for just some time to themselves. Whether it was a trip to a small local pub for a dinner out or going to the movies, they enjoyed a little time away.
Bob has all sorts of interests. He was an enthusiastic and avid fan of NASCAR, was a calf roper at the rodeo and had a huge heart for dogs (especially Sarge and Bo). He was a big fan of Harley Davidson and their motorcycles and although a big fan he knew that while living under the same roof as Melinda, he was not to ride one. If you needed wallpaper hung, Bob was your man, and if it was expert woodworking you needed, all you had to do was see his wooden Chris-Craft Boat that he rebuilt by hand. There was almost nothing he couldn’t do and he proved it. In the years Melinda and Bob were married, Melinda never had to call a repair man; Bob was always there to do it first, do it right and to do it all with a meticulous eye for every detail. Bob was devoted father who was proud of all his sons and their individual endeavors. He cheered the loudest at Chris’ wrestling matches and baseball games, taught both Bob and Billy to calf-rope and was more than proud of Erik’s talent at auto body work. Jason and Jessica gave him his first grandson, while Ryan gave Bob his first granddaughter, both of which were the apple of his eye. Bob kept the family together through thick and thin, sometimes becoming the master of ceremonies over the three ring circus that was the “Sauber boys”. Times with Bob and his family were never complete without some laughter, love, cursing, (though not around Melinda if you could help it) and mischief with a little mayhem thrown in for good measure. In 2000, Bob retired and they moved to Georgia where he and Melinda lived until 2017. Bob’s health declined to the point that Melinda could no longer care for him alone; it was time to come back home to Maple Park and family.
Before Bob passed, his best friend since 1948, Oz Kendall, came down from Alaska to see him one last time to reminisce about the old stories from their many years of friendship, including when the both roped together at 5 Acre Arena in Sycamore. Bob was a compassionate man full of stories and laughter; he will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
Bob is survived by his loving and patient wife of 45 ½ years, Melinda Sauber; his six sons: Bob Jr. and Bill Sauber; Chris Gallicho; Ryan, Jason, and Erik Sauber; seven grandchildren: Lucas, Tyler, Jennifer, Savannah and Graham Sauber, Abby and Declan Gallicho; one great-grandchild on the way; and one niece and a nephew: Terry and Rachel Yarbrough.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Lillian Sauber, and his brother-in-law, Terry (T-Bone) Yarbrough Sr.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, May 7, 2019, from 4-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Bob’s name. Checks may be made to the “Robert Sauber Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Conley Funeral Home.

Visitation will take place Tuesday, May 7, 2019, from 4-8 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Interment to follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.