Procter, Robert John 1923-2012
PROCTER, PRIKOSOVICH, EISINGER, WARNER, MILLER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/19/2012 at 11:02:24
Robert John Procter of Decorah, Iowa passed away peacefully in his sleep in the wee small hours of the morning on Monday April 9, 2012 at the age of 88.
Robert, fondly known as Bob, was born on September 2, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Austrian immigrants, Isidor and Anna (Eisinger) Prikosovich who arrived in the United States shortly after World War I. He was a devoted husband and loving father of four children.
Bob graduated from Saint George’s High School in Chicago. He attended the University of Illinois for one year before entering the US Army where he served his country in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled and earned his BSC in Accounting from DePaul University in Chicago. Not too soon after he met the love of his life, Pauline Dolores Quirk. On June 5, 1948 Bob and Pauline exchanged wedding vows that they kept sacred “til death do us part”. They moved to Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in 1954 to raise their family.
On a professional level, Bob was the Comptroller for the Research and Development division of Kraft Foods in Glenview, IL for 37 years. During the early years of his career at Kraft, he put himself through the prestigious Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he earned his MBA in Finance.
Bob enriched his professional life with his participation in the Illinois Northeast Chapter of National Association of Accountants (NAA) and the Society of Research Administrators (SRA), where at various times he served as President or Chairman of different committees.
Mastering life balance, he managed to make time for the following: Boy Scouts and Cub Pack Unit Leader, umpire for Northbrook Little League, Glenbrook North High School Wrestling Committee Chairman of GBN Booster Club, President of the Glenbrook Property Association, Northbrook Days Committee and faithful usher at the 7:00am Sunday Mass held at St. Norbert’s Church where he was a life-long member until moving to Iowa.
As time went on, Bob got the itch to get involved in civic government and became a member of the Recreation Advisory Committee for the Northbrook Park District. Identifying the need for his talent and skills in finance, he decided to run as an independent vying for a seat on the Park District Board. Naturally the residents liked and were impressed with his accomplishments so they elected him to the position of Park Board Commissioner where he served for over ten years. One of his greatest accomplishments on that board was the acquisition of Sportsman’s Golf & Country Club as a municipal property for all of Northbrook residents to enjoy.
Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed sharing his knowledge and experiences in the business world with others. Following his retirement from Kraft in 1984, he decided to invest his time and talent into the senior center in Northbrook. He coordinated the center’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for the elderly and started the Northbrook Seniors Investment Club. He thoroughly enjoyed the non-monetary dividend payouts of brownies and cookies from those he greatly assisted. In 1991 Bob was given the Foundation Award, a citation which at that time had been presented only six times in the 20 years since the Civic Foundation was formed. He was recognized for serving on the village’s Safety Committee, spending a decade as a Park Commissioner, and Caucus Vice Chairman for two years.
In 1997 Bob and Pauline had the opportunity to build their dream retirement home in Decorah, Iowa where their backyard was a golf course … one of the “bucket list” items they could scratch off. They thoroughly enjoyed this new chapter of their life together. During their “Golden Years” they could either be found enjoying the surroundings and social activities of the golf course or relaxing in the warm sun at their winter home in Arizona with family and friends.
Other “loves” in his life included his 1967 Mustang convertible, listening to Francis Albert (aka Frank Sinatra), and playing golf on Wednesday afternoons with his fellow Oneota Club members. Bob was a proud stock owner of the Green Bay Packers. He loved watching them play each week and there were numerous phone calls going back and forth between his three sons as they each gave their own color commentary of the game. When tickets were available he really cherished the times with his sons and grandson, Bobby, attending games at County Stadium in Milwaukee or Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
He is survived by his four loving children: Ken (Ruth) Procter of Decorah, IA, Kevin (Lorraine) Procter of Wayne, NJ, Mark (Laura) Procter of Hawthorn Woods, IL, Laura (Steve) Warner of Waukee, IA. He is also survived by his sister, Paula (Albert) Miller of Surprise, AZ, 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death on Monday March 26, 2012 by his loving wife Pauline of nearly 64 years. His parents and a grandson (who was respectfully named after him) all greeted him with loving arms at the entrance of his eternal resting place.
Robert will be greatly missed by all of those who were blessed to have known him. Private services were held on Wednesday April 11, 2012. A celebration of his and Pauline’s lives will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be donated in his memory to Saint Benedict Catholic Church or the Oneota Golf Course Tree Fund.
A celebration of life for Bob and Pauline Procter of Decorah will be held on Friday, April 20th at Oneota Golf & Country Club. Please join the family from 5-7 PM to remember them at their favorite Friday night gathering place.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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