Robert DeSanto Obituary

It is hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since Robbie passed away. It is even harder for me to believe that it has taken me this long to sign this guestbook. Robbie was my best friend since my Sophomore year in high school. Rob, Terry (Terrence Marcel Howard) & I were known by most as "the three muskateers" and "the three amigos". We did everything together in and after high school. Rob was much more than my best friend, he was truly my brother. Words cannot express the emptiness that I have in my heart without him. Rob was a gentle giant with a huge heart and many childlike qualities which made him perfect for working with children and young adults with disabilities. Rob loved his job and got a great sense of fullfillment from his students and athletes. Not a single day has gone by that I have not thought of Rob. I still cannot belive that he is gone. Anytime I hear a Jimmy Buffet or Pearl Jam song I think of him. Anytime I see the Cubs, Bears or Simpsons on, I think of Rob. It is said that time heals all wounds but I can say that time will never mend my broken heart. Rob, you meant the world to me and my world will never be the same without you. I love and miss you with all my heart and soul. You are physically gone but spiritually with me each and every day. I am a very selfish person though and want you back here with me just so that I can wrap my arms around you one last time and tell you how much I love you.
Michelle L. Ballard

Dear Tanya,

Bill and I are so sorry for your incredible loss. I will always be there for you, my friend, when you need a hug, a shoulder to cry on or someone to take your hand and help you focus on the joy your new family and extended family (your friends!) can bring to your life.

With our sympathy,
Linda and Bill Castor

COACH ROB

There once was a man
Who walked upon earth,
Big of heart,
And a master of mirth.

Known as a coach,
Mentor, and friend,
His demise was sudden,
An unbelievable end.

Special are the kids
Who will remember Rob
As a teacher who rose
Above and beyond his job.

Camping, parties, excursions,
Trips near and far,
Rob insured that each student
Was made to feel like a star.

Rob had a wry sense of humor
And for the Bears a great love.
He's now in a position
To help his team from above.

My condolences. I just viewed a feature on channel 7 with a heartwarming story about a young man going to the special olympics. I noticed Rob as his coach and was shocked at the end of the story when they stated Rob had passed.

I googled his name and noticed the guest book. I didn't know Rob but it sounds like he comes from good stock and did so much for others in his short life.

God Bless your family as I know you will all continue his legacy of service.

Dear Tanya, The Alliance family is thinking of you during this extremely difficult time. May the memories that you've shared with your brother, and God's strength help you through your grief. Please let me know if there is anything we can do.
Sincerely, Linda Izquierdo and the ISMSA

Tanya & family,
I am so sorry to hear about Robbie's passing. He was always a nice guy.We had a lot of fun childhood memories. After high school was over, we pretty much lost touch.It makes me sad to think that we tend to take life for granted and not realize how short it can be. We never know when it could be the last time that we see or talk to someone. I remember the green machines, playing in your backyard on the playground equipment and playing ghost in the graveyard with Robbie and the other neighborhood kids.In high school we had great times..football and cheerleading. He was always so nice to me. From what I have read he has remained a kind and caring person. He will be missed tremendously. He is in the arms of the angels with your beautiful mother.
I am so sorry for your loss.

In my thoughts and prayers-
Roseann

Dr Tanya:
Eman and I are sorry for the loss of your dear brother, Robert. We know that God will give you and the rest of your family the strength to deal with your loss.

Tanya and Craig,
My deepest sympathies to you and yours at this time of loss. May you gather strength from God, friends and family to guide you through this most unhappy event.

Dear Tanya and Family,
My thoughts & prayers are with you, God Bless.
Sincerely,

I coached with Rob in special olympics, he inspired me. Rob touched the lives of so many athletes he will be greatly missed.

DeSanto Family & Friends,

My thoughts and prays are extended to each of you, today and in the days ahead.

I know God is holding Rob in the palm of His hand.

Rob was a sweet, gentle and caring man. A true gentleman!

He will be missed.

Ididn't know Robert,but I know Dr Tanya DeSanto,I just want to say, I'm very sorry for your lost.

I was very sorry to hear of Rob's passing,he was a very kind and gentle man.I worked with him for several years,every year was a pleasure.God Bless.

Tanya, I am so sorry for your loss; my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Rob, you were such a great man. It is such a shame you had to go so soon. Rob, me and ALL Easter Seals agencies will truly miss you. THank you for entering Easter Seals' lives. If Jamie wins the gold, it's all for you.

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. Rob was my favorite teacher when I attended Easter Seals and he will be truly missed. Deepest sympathy to the family from Sheila Love and Cortez Love

We are very saddened to hear of Rob's loss. Rob was a good friend and wonderful teacher and caretaker of our son, Conor Larkin, at the Easter Seals After School program. Every day he took Conor and the other kids to local parks, the lake, 7-Eleven and even downtown to Taste of Chicago. Rob's kindness, ability to connect and constant willingness to help Conor and the other kids turn outward was immeasurably valuable in helping our son develop the skills he has needed to engage in everyday life. Eight years after leaving the program, Conor still sings "after school, after school, we are after school," and talks about Rob. The world has lost, and we have lost, one of its most compassionate and giving persons. We will never forget him or what he did for us and everyone around him.

Words cannot express the shock and greif. THe world will miss a tremendously great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Rob,
Charles and I will miss your presence at school. Your life choice to work with our children made a lasting impression. The way you gave from your heart help to enhance their lives and educational experience. Ms. Everlena Hemingway

From my family to yours, please accept our deepest sympathies and know that you are in our prayers.

Our condolenses for your loss, and may god give you the patience to deal with the loss. May he rest in peace.

Dalal Masoud & Adrienne Hamilton
Easter Seals GM

My prayers and deepest sympathies to the DeSanto family. I played baseball with Rob in OTYA and went to Bloom with him. I remember some crazy times (even though we didn't intend them to be) hanging around Rob and Terry Howard. I just saw Rob on the news, a couple of weeks ago, for Special Olympics and can't think of a better person and mentor that the kids involved in that and Easter Seals could have had.

Dear Tanya, Craig, Emma, and Grace,

We are are thinking of you and send our deepest sympathy.

Dorothy, Dave, Krista, Mike, and Dan Jansen

Tanya
Robert was a very nice person who would go out of his way to help anyone. When I found out I had breast cancer he was with me all the way, he even stayed with me at the hospital and made sure I ate. Your brother was the best. Words can not express the way I feel. Robert heart and soul was as big as the world. My prayer are with you.
Lenora Scott
Chicago, IL

Please accept our sincerest sympathy and our thoughts of friendship for you, Dr. Tanya.

Tanya,
I was shocked when Jeff told me about your brother. After reading about him it is clear that he had a big heart much like your own. Please accept our condolences. Love, Jeff and Julie Donohue

As I sit here in your office today, reading all of these wonderful entries, I know that your brother was deeply loved and that MANY people care & love you and your family. I am proud to be apart of your life and your "Princess" here at work. Your work family will help you rise up from this saddness and help you smile that wonderful smile you have! Mark and I are very sorry for your loss. Morgan is asking me daily if you're ok. I assure her that your brother is with Jesus. She's happy for him, yet sad for you. We will welcome you back with open arms in Springfield! Love, Mark & Robin Hayes

Tanya,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family from your friends at Mid-West Family Broadcasting. We are saddened at your sudden loss. You are in our prayers.

our deepest sympathies to the DeSanto family.Robb coached Jamie all the way to the Special Olympics.We will always love and remember him in our hearts and appreciate the love and and kindness he show to God's most vulnerable children.Thank you Robb

Tanya and Family,
Wow what a shock. Rob was an awesome friend and person in general. He loved working with the children at Easter Seals, Bears football, Cubs (he would tease us because we are Sox fans), and of course he loved his sister and the girls. My husband and I just got married on May 19th, 2007 and we had the great privilage of having Rob as one of our Groomsmen. I look back now and am so glad we made that decision to have him stand up in the wedding. He made our day complete. We are going to miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. I now know that we have a guardian angel on our side.

We love and miss you always!!

Rob you will be missed more then words can say. I will miss talking about the Bears :( Rob you will always be in my thoughts and your family will be in my prayers.

Tanya, Craig, Emma and Grace,

We are so sorry to hear about your brother. Please accept our deepest sympathies and know that you are remembered in our prayers,

Judy and Todd Knox and Family

Tanya and family ~

We are sending our prayers and ((((hugs)))) to you at the news of Robbie's passing. May your memories with him comfort you. So very sorry for your loss.

I worked for Rob for a little bit as a volunteer, he was always so much fun to be around, and was always helpful whenever i needed it

Bob, Tanya & Therese,

Robbie was a wonderful son and brother. Deepest sympathies go out to you and your families.

I can't believe this is true! Rob has been my best friend for about 4 years now. He was the one person i could come to with with ANYTHING and he'd always understand. The last time i saw him, him and i went bowling and because he had sandals on, he had to borrow socks from my bowling locker, there were 2 pairs, 1 crew, one higher cuff, of course after i put on one crew sock, he stole the other so we both ended up wearing two different socks! I will miss him SO much! nothing is going to be the same! :(

Tanya...Another part of you has been taken. I always think of Robbie when I have a cheese head from Monty's and we still talk about him on our "juggin" excursions. Robbie was adventurous and a joy to spend time with. Know for whatever reason, the good Lord wanted Robbie with Him and he is with your mom, in peace. God Bless you, Craig, the girls and all your family. We love you.

Tanya,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. My prayers are with you and your family.

To Our Dearest Tanya, Craig, Emma and Grace: Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with you all during this time of terrible loss and sadness. Although we never met Robbie, we have heard so many wonderful and often funny stories about him that we felt we knew him. What a wonderful gift it was for you to have had him for a brother. With time, may fond memories help to ease your sorrow. We love you.

My deepest sympathys to the family of Robbie. This is hard to grasp as it was very sudden. I am an old friend of Robbies from Bloom High School. Terry, Michelle, my brother Joe, and I would always hang out with Robbie and we had some great times. He never, ever got mad at anything at all and was always jolly. He would always laugh at my jokes and pranks even if no one else found them funny. He always found a way to have fun no matter what we did. He even spent the night a few times at my parents house and we would all sit up and watch the sunrise together. Many, many nights like that. I have some fond memories of Robbie and always will. I will miss him and the good times we had. May time and memories heal your sorrow in your time of need.

Tanya and family,
The girls and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you.

Tanya and Family- we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Tanya, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

You and your family are in my prayers.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

Our daughter Maribeth introduced us to Rob and we liked him from the first time we met him. He was a loving, caring and gentle person and he will be missed. You were blessed to have him as your brother and may that comfort you.

Rob DeSanto is one of the most caring, devoted and empathetic individuals I have ever met in my life. I have worked with Rob at Easter Seals for ten years and he brought joy into so many people's lives every day. I am having a very hard time understanding and accepting all of this and can only comfort my soul with this thought: God needed Rob on his team to watch over all of us and continue to guide us to be the person everyone should aspire to be; more like him. I love you, Rob. Please be our guardian angel and know you will be missed, but never forgotten.

Tanya, Craig and Family,

Jan & I want to offer you our deepest condolences for the loss of your brother. May your wonderful memories comfort you in your time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Denise Wake and Jan Thompson

"Mr.
Rob" made a deep impact on our son, Who attends Easter Seals School.
He took the kids camping to Galena last year, and it was such a
wonderful experience for them. I consider us lucky to have had the
opportunity to have known him. Rob will be deeply missed!

We met Robbie on a several occasions, when we were celebrating special occasions in his nieces' lives. Although we didn't know him well, we do know his sister, Tanya, very well, and this tragic, untimely death has taken a piece of her heart. She loved him so much and talked of him with such affection and love. He was everything to Emma and Grace, who also loved him so much. We send our most positive thoughts and prayers to the family at this very difficult time, as well as all the children Robbie worked with on a daily basis. We know he will be missed terribly.

Plain and simple:
Rob was one heck of a guy.
I am one of the many he made an impression on.
The world will miss him.

Rob was one of the greatest people I ever knew. My sister Lisa brought him into our lives, and it was the best years I can remember. I never met someone so happy and easy going. I felt calm around him. We all went on hay rides, and to Buffett concerts, had a great time. I will always cherish the memories . You are missed my friend.

Tanya, Craig and family,

Words cannot even begin to express our sincerest sympathy in the loss of your brother. May you find some peace in wonderful memories of your brother.

Sincerely,
Kevin & Felicia Unser

Rob was just the most wonderful person I ever had the honor of being around. He had a gentle heart and soul, and made everyone at ease. I worked with him for years, and he was a big part of my family life too. I remember many holidays with him at our table, laughing and just being himself. I will miss him dearly. We love you Rob, always in my prayers, Bobbie Herrera

Tanya,
I am so sorry about losing Robbie. I knew him very well and we went through so much together, more than others know. He Always was and always will be in my heart and in my soul. I will always love him. He is now with your Mom, who he would talk so much about to me. The world is short one great man. But he is with us always. Robbie was always there for everyone who needed him, no matter the reason. When we were together, we shared everything, Between Jimmy Buffett, to football games. And lets not forget him putting the football helmet on Maggie. I have so many memories from the three years we were together, But one of my best ones is at christmas, he used to always have that train around the bottom of the tree. He seemed to turn into a little boy when he would play with it. Then we would go on our little trips to your Aunts homes. But when we were done with that, we would go back to the house, and just sit on the couch and look at the tree. Sometimes we would fall asleep there. It was always so peaceful doing that. He also loved all his friends, Like Terry and Michelle. I was lucky enough to spend a few days with him about 4 yrs ago. He talked to me so much. Know he loved you So So much Tanya, you too Craig. He adored your girls too. If I can do anything, please let me know. And remember, he is Always with us. Take care, Love always Lisa (Kuba) Helmuth.

Patient, kind and gentle Rob DeSanto made an impact on the lives of hundreds of children, sharing his love for athletics and providing endless opportunites for the children at Easter Seals. He will be missed more than words can describe, but his memory will live on in our hearts and the impact he made on the lives of so many children will live on forever.