Robert "Bob" Stacey

October 6, 1930 - May 15, 2019

Robert D. "Bob" Stacey, 88, of Addison, IL.  Proud United States Army Veteran.  Visitation Saturday, May 18 from 10am until time of Funeral Service at 11:30am at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home.  Interment Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, IL.  Donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Robert's name appreciated. What God wrote in the life of Bob. Robert Don "Bob" Stacey was born on October 6, 1930, in West Vienna (southern Illinois) to Ira "Buck" and Eva Alverta Stacey.  He was the third of their seven children and their oldest son.   He was preceded to glory by his parents, brother Bill, sisters Oma (Homer), Esther (Jewel), Sue, sister-in-law Jackie (Wally), and brother-in-laws Gerry and Jim.  He is survived by his wife Thea, two sons Chris (Helena) and Curt (Susan), two grandchildren Robert (Katie) and Jeff (Shannon), and two great grandsons Zane & Evan, sisters Joyce and Kay (Bill), sister-in-laws Laura and Marilyn, brother-in-law Gene, and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.  He was an uncle and godparent to Morgan Baumert. Bob grew up in West Frankfort, IL, a coal mining town north of Carbondale.  He was a graduate of Frankfort Community High School in West Frankfort.  Although he was a top student who excelled in math, he was not able to go to college because it was not affordable for his family.  He started his career by doing manual labor and working in construction.  In his younger days, he operated a roller rink in Benton, IL.  He also helped his father build the high school gymnasium in 1950.  During his youth, he was a tough and determined young man who was not afraid of anything. Bob's life changed when he served his country as a corporal in the United States Army from 1951 through 1953.  He faithfully served in the military police at various checkpoints throughout Germany and in Berlin, during the Korean War.  Upon the completion of his military service, Bob worked for CNA Insurance and International Harvester in Chicago.  He did actuarial work, learned accounting, and programmed tabulating machines and mainframe computers.  He financed his own service bureau and acquired IBM mainframe computers starting in 1958 in the Chicago Loop.  His business, Stacey Data Processing Services, Inc., became successful.  He developed many computer programs and software packages.  He became a Datapoint Corporation representative in the 1970's and his business expanded to the suburbs in the mid 1980's.  His business provided services, software, and complete turnkey systems that helped other businesses become successful too.  Bob's sharp mind and hard work resulted in his being able to make a good living for himself and his family. Bob met his life partner, Thea, while she was a keypunch operator at SOS Data Processing.  Bob rented time on their computers during the evenings when starting his own business.  Bob and Thea were married on April 20, 1960, in Spirit, WI.  For a time, Thea worked as Bob's secretary as did his sister Kay.  They were blessed with 59 years of marriage and with the gift of two sons, Chris and Curt, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  When they were first married, Bob and Thea rented a house in Elmhurst for a year.  In 1961, they purchased their own home in Addison, IL where they have lived ever since. Bob was a family man who was devoted to his family.  He enjoyed doing things with his wife and children, and he also stayed close to his siblings and extended family.  He had lots of good memories from family get-togethers, vacations, and reunions.  Bob was a hard-working person who achieved success in his life.  His hobbies including spending time with his family, going on family vacations to Florida and Wisconsin, fishing in Eagle River, WI and in southern Illinois, hunting, enjoying the outdoors, especially being near rivers, lakes, and streams.  In his youth, he enjoyed roller skating and he also liked cars.  He enjoyed eating at German restaurants and singing German songs like Edelweiss and Lili Marlene.  He loved music and would often listen to Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, Frankie Laine, and Jimmy Dean.  He also enjoyed watching movies, especially westerns and John Wayne.  He remained an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan throughout his life. Bob was a religious person and was raised in the Christian faith as a child at the Church of God in West Frankfort, IL.  He was baptized and confirmed as an adult on May 29, 1966 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Addison, IL.  While at St. Paul, Bob served on the Board of Finance.  Bob and Thea transferred their family's church membership from St. Paul, Addison to Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle on June 17, 1984.  Bob was also involved in the Addison community serving on the District 4 School Board and was a member of the Oak Park Sportsmen's Club. Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2017 and he continued to persevere with the support of his family and with faith in his Savior.  On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, while receiving hospice care in his home, Bob was called to his heavenly home with Jesus at the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 9 days to the glory of God.  He will be missed greatly, yet we commit him to God's care and healing and the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life and a joyful reunion for all who trust in Jesus. Scripture Readings from Funeral Service (from NIV New International Version) Initial verses 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 1 John 3:1-2 Scripture reading Psalm 23 1 Thessalonians 4:11-18 John 14:1-7 Sermon from Matthew 14:22-32 "A measure of a man's success is not what he achieves, but what he overcomes." - Booker T. Washington "Success" by Robert Louis Stevenson He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;Who has left the world better than he found it;Who has looked for the best in others and given the best he had;Whose life was an inspiration;Whose memory is a benediction. "Gone Fishin" by Delmar Pepper I've finished life's chores assigned to me,So put me on a boat headed out to sea.Please send along my fishing poleFor I've been invited to the fishin' hole.Where every day is a day to fish,To fill your heart with every wish.Don't worry, or feel sad for me,I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.We will miss each other for awhile,But you will come and bring your smile.That won't be long you will see,Till we're together you and me.To all of those that think of me,Be happy as I go out to sea.If others wonder why I'm missin'Just tell 'em I've gone fishin' "Going Fishing" by Kathleen Higham Lord I'm going fishing todaySo give me spiritual baitTo help this living dying raceBefore it's all too lateLet me cast a hopeful heartUpon a lost and lonely soulGive me peace and understandingAs I fiercely grip my poleAs Your Word becomes the lightMy tackle box is fullAnd my rod is bending downwardFrom a sinner I feel the pullGive me strength to reel him inAnd take him off the hookThen place him in Your loving armsWith his hand around Your bookLord let my catch be bountifulFor it remains to be seenThat You will help me bring them inBut they are Yours to clean