Obituary for Robert Heinlein
Robert ”Bob” Heinlein, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2023. He is the loving father of Donna (Joseph) Vorreyer and Kevin (Jennifer) Heinlein; cherished grandpa of Zachary Vorreyer, Bradley (Katie) Vorreyer and SSgt John-George (Ellyka) Heinlein; brother and best-friend of Don (Carla) Heinlein, sister-in-law Marlene, and many nieces and nephews.
He joins his beloved wife Patricia, parents George and Mildred and brother Jim in eternal life.
Bob was a rail enthusiast. As a young boy, he and his brother Don would chase street cars and collect discarded transfers. He started in the mail room at the Chicago Transit Authority in 1956 and moved to Public Relations within a year. He then became a rail traffic controller in the late 1970s, and finally moved to Power Supervisor. He worked on many major motion pictures as a consultant for the CTA. After retiring in 1992, he volunteered full-time at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL, becoming one of their senior members and officers. He is known and highly respected throughout the rail community.
Bob was a true family man who adored his family. He was married to Pat for 63 years before her passing in 2022. His children and grandchildren have great memories of him that they will talk about for years to come. He was a kind and gentle man. A one-of-a-kind soul.
Visitation is on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a blessing at 6:00 PM, at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL. Following Tuesday’s services, cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory, and Bob will be interred privately next to his wife at St. Joseph Cemetery.
He joins his beloved wife Patricia, parents George and Mildred and brother Jim in eternal life.
Bob was a rail enthusiast. As a young boy, he and his brother Don would chase street cars and collect discarded transfers. He started in the mail room at the Chicago Transit Authority in 1956 and moved to Public Relations within a year. He then became a rail traffic controller in the late 1970s, and finally moved to Power Supervisor. He worked on many major motion pictures as a consultant for the CTA. After retiring in 1992, he volunteered full-time at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL, becoming one of their senior members and officers. He is known and highly respected throughout the rail community.
Bob was a true family man who adored his family. He was married to Pat for 63 years before her passing in 2022. His children and grandchildren have great memories of him that they will talk about for years to come. He was a kind and gentle man. A one-of-a-kind soul.
Visitation is on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a blessing at 6:00 PM, at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 950 South Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL. Following Tuesday’s services, cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory, and Bob will be interred privately next to his wife at St. Joseph Cemetery.