ROBERT “Bob” KUFER

Robert “Bob” Kufer, age 80, of Elburn, formerly of Lombard, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, December 12, 2021.

He was born November 7, 1941, in Elmhurst, IL, to proud and loving parents, Robert Maxwell and Mary Katherine (Gibson) Kufer.

Bob grew up in Lombard before the family moved to California for a time.  It wasn’t long before they made a return trip to his old neighborhood.

He graduated from Glenbard West with the class of 1962. Bob worked locally for a time, but began a 40-year career as an electrician, working diligently on many commercial buildings as a proud member of the IBEW, Local 701.

Bob met the love of his life in Carol (Shissler) Gillis while working at Jewel. The only date they went on was to see “The Love Bug”. They were united in marriage on March 7, 1970 and Bob adopted Carol’s young son, Todd. The three began their new life together in Lombard. After moving to Elburn into a home they designed together, Bob and Carol were blessed again with another son, Matthew, who made the family complete. Grief came to call when Carol passed away in December of 2003. Bob continued to make his home in Elburn and continued the legacy of memories both he and Carol began. In 2018, he moved to Park Manor a t the Holmstad where he made many new friends.

Bob was member of the IBEW Local 701 and a past member of Fox Valley Aero Club, model airplane community that raced through the skies.  

Bob had his own corny sense of humor and forever liked to tease his family. He had a very unique and infectious laugh that you could identify without even having to see him in the room. He enjoyed going up to John’s cabin in Wisconsin and camping with Todd and Ally at Mendota Hills Campground. You could usually find him driving his golf cart or casting lines that brought him the catch of the day, or the “whopper story” of the week, which ever came first.  After he retired, Bob took up woodworking or as Carol called it “making sawdust”, but no matter her description, what began as humble wood, was born into jewelry boxes for the ladies in the family and coat racks and stools for his boys. While remodeling his house, he built custom trim inside and a beautiful deck with wiggly bars on all the railings both inside and out. Bob never missed a chance to brag about his grandkids, who called him GB or Grandpa Bob, and loved to take them on “adventurous” golf kart and 4-wheeler rides. Above all the crazy stories, laughter and good time, Bob was a gentleman at heart and stayed that way until the very end, as evidenced by all his nurses fighting to be the one to take care of him. There will be no fighting over his memories however, as the millions he made with his nearest and dearest will be shared for generations to come.

He is survived by his two sons: Todd Kufer and Matthew (Elizabeth) Kufer; 2 grandchildren: Alexandra Kufer and Mathias Kufer; three siblings: Judy (Chuck) Rizner, John (Jackie) Kufer, Diane (John) Taylor; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a community of friends.

He preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol Kufer, nephew Steven Rizner and grandniece Stephanie Kufer.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association at http://action.lung.org or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association at http://phassociation.org/donate. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com where you can find Bob’s full life story.

Private family services will be held at a later date.