Robert Lee Van Cleave

Robert Lee Van Cleave, 87, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 19, 2021. He was born on August 5, 1933, to Robert Edward Lee and Laura Louise (Frace) Van Cleave in Long Beach, California.

Known as “Bobby” to family, friends and co-workers, he graduated from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, in 1952. As an athlete, his classmates knew him for good sportsmanship and athletic talent. He went on to attend the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago to study engineering because he excelled at math and enjoyed challenging formulas and equations. While working full-time, Robert balanced his college classes with superior grades. During his sophomore year at IIT, Robert traveled to Texas, to visit with his family living in San Antonio, were he met and married Marlene Gernander. Married on August 13, 1955, Robert and Marlene celebrated 53 years of married life until Marlene passed away in 2008.

Bob and Mar built a life in Mount Prospect, Illinois, raising three daughters, belonging to St. Mark Lutheran Church, all while enjoying the neighborly atmosphere and friends they made in the place they called home for more than 40 years. Over many years, Bob planned vacations to visit relatives living across the United States so the next generation of family could share special bonds of togetherness.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Bob worked alongside his Dad and brother, Ed, as a Natural Gas Line Pipefitter/Foreman for Wheeling-based Contracting and Material Company for 46 years from 1951 until retirement in 1997. To help mentor youth entering into his trade, Bob decided to teach part-time at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois, for a number of years in the early 1970s, and also worked an extra job during tax season for H&R Block to help support Mar’s decision to become a Registered Nurse. After retiring, Bob consulted on many high profile construction projects in the Chicagoland area for more than 10 years.

Bob and Mar moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 2001, for their retirement years to be closer to family living in the area and quickly began meeting new friends. During the retirement years, Bob and Mar traveled the United States to sightsee and visit family. Bob got busy volunteering with Midway Village Museum following Mar’s death, as well as keeping busy with family and friends and continuing to follow his favorite football team the Chicago Bears. He enjoyed many outdoor activities including fishing, boating, camping, barbeque grilling, gardening, photography and home movie video production. At the time of his death, Bob was a 70-year member of Chicago Pipefitters Local #597 and had recently received recognition. Bob will be remembered as very strong and dependable with a gentle soul.

Robert will be deeply missed by his daughters; Leann Van Cleave Sackett, Linda Van Cleave, and Lonna Van Cleave-Converso, his grandchildren; Marisa Moran, Jeramie Dahlhauser, Janna O’Mann Sutherland, Stacia Sackett (Josh) Larson, Laura Converso, and Kelli Converso; his great grandchildren, Kierstyn Van Cleave, Noah Sutherland, Hailee Hagemann, Aubrey Dahlhauser, Aiden Sutherland, Joshua Sutherland, Lincoln Hill, Kennedy Hill, Carina Coslovich, and Olivia Larson; his sister, Gloria Van Cleave Stone; brother, Phillip Van Cleave; sister-in-law, Eunice Gernander; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, long-time bestfriend, Charles “Chuck” Ball; and family friend Debara Preston.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Marlene; his parents, infant granddaughter, Alyssa Converso; brother, Edward E. Van Cleave; sister-in-law, Carol Van Cleave; mother-in-law, Ingaborg (Strandberg) Gernander; and brother-in-law, Jerry Gernander.

A celebration of Robert’s life will take place on May 1, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. with memorial service starting at 2:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. 1860 S. Mulford Rd, Rockford, IL 61108. Those attending services will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Those unable to attend may watch the service via zoom at www.zoom.us, meeting id: 863 4286 4098 and passcode: 123. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Chicago Bears “Bears Care” program. Donations can be made at https://www.cgiving.org/donate/BEARSCARE. Share online condolences and memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com