Robert Grahn Obituary

Dear Nancy Lee and Family,

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss

of your father. My heart goes out to all of you. Keep all the precious

memories close to your heart. You

were truly blessed.



A Loving Fan,

Monica

Nancy,



My heart goes out to you and your family at this time of sorrow. I lost my loving best friend, my "daddy", 4 years ago and, yes time does heal, but thank G-d for your wonderful memories to carry with you for your lifetime.. Hold on tight to your remaining family and cherish every moment you have with each other.



On a lighter note, I'm one of your biggest fans and proud that you came from my "hood"..



Marla

Dear Barb, Suzi, Nancy, Wendy and family: Bobbie was indeed a favorite family member. I loved our family reunions, when we were all together. It was never often enough, but there are some great memories. Love to you all. We must get together soon. Love, Linda

Dear Nancy and family,



I was so sorry to hear about your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.



With much love,

Jennifer Chance (a fan)

To Nancy Lee Grahn and her family:



I am very sorry about your loss, it is obvious from articles I have read about you, Ms. Grahn that your father was a wonderful man and that you and your family were blessed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.



God Bless

Kelly

Dear Nancy and Family:



I had the pleasure to meet your father about 14 years ago when I was a student at Niles West High School. He was my substitute english teacher for a few days. Imagine my surprise when this man in his 60's rolled into class with blond hair, an earring, and incredibly cool clothes. He was by far the most interesting teacher I had the entire four yeras I was there. What was truly special about him was the subject matter of the class-it wasn't english, it was his family. That was all he could talk about. You were on Santa Barbara at the time and he had this briefcase, only he didn't pull out a lesson plan, he pulled out your head shots and passed them out to the kids in the class. Needless to say I began to watch Santa Barbara and then GH. He was so proud of you. I remember at the time thinking how great it would be to have a dad like that. You and your sisters were truly blessed.



So Sorry for your loss,

Stephanie

Dear Suzi, Lou, Chris, Josh, Nancy, and the Grahn family,

Sorry to hear about your great loss. I know how close you were and how special he was to all of you. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times several years ago. I can honestly say that I can see where Suzi gets her truly wonderful and sincere personality. My thoughts are with you always.

Love, Dr. Amy Bronswick & Indigo

(Northbrook, IL)

I wish everyone in the world had a Dad like mine. I am so proud to have been his daughter. He taught me to see the positive in everything and to never stop learning. Bobby has given these ideas to my children and they are, what I am most proud of in my life. I know that his grandchildren will continue to keep his messages moving. For those of you who met my Dad, you are so blessed. If you didn't, keep your eyes toward the sky, he's the angel dancing on the stars! Remember Dad, NCLYM.

Dearest Nancy...My heartfelt and deepest condolences...allow me to share...He's not really lost to you

He's only gone away. He will be there at the dawning of a brighter day.



He is just away, but he will always be a part of all the wonderful memories that will live forever in your heart. God Bless you and your family.



Most sincere,

A loving fan

Dear Nancy,



May God grant you and your family His peace. And may you take comfort in the knowledge that you will see your father again one day, in heaven. My prayers are with you.



A loyal fan,

Lynn Ingram

Don't worry dad! The "other" favorties know the truth and they will learn to be ok with it... ;-) NCLYM

my sincerest sympathy to nancy, kate and the entire grahn family. i would like to share something that i have found comfort in when i lost someone close.

i am home in Heaven, dear ones,

oh, so happy and so bright

there is perfect joy and beauty

in this everlasting light.

all the pain and grief is over,

every restless tossing passed:

i am now at peace forever,

safely home in Heaven at last.

did you wonder i so calmly

trod the valley of the shade?

oh'but Jesus love illumined

every dark and fearful glade.

and He came Himself to meet me

in that way so hard to tread;

and with Jesus' arm to lean on,

could i have one doubt or dread?

then you must not grieve so sorely,

for i love you dearly still:

try to look beyond earth's shadows, pray to trust our Fathers's Will.

there is work still waiting for you,

so you must not idly stand;

do it now, while life remaineth

you shall rest is Jesus' land.

when that work is all completed,

he will gently call you Home;

oh, the rapture of that meeting,

oh, the joy to see you come.

Dear Nancy,

As a GH fan and a volunteer at Rush-North Shore Hospital it was my delight and privilege to see your father whenever I knew he was there, the last time being about a month ago.

I sat with him and he spoke of you with such love and pride...and of Kate.

He was a sweet, handsome, loving man and my thoughts are with you and your family.

With heartfelt sympathy,

Judie (his 'favorite' volunteer)

Dear Nancy & Family,



I would like to share a poem that has always brought comfort during times of great loss.



~God saw you were getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around you

And whispered, "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away.

Althought we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts

to prove to us,

He only takes the best.~



(Author Unknown)



God Bless!

To the family and friends of Robert Grahn, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time.

No one could love you more!

My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time.



When I am gone, release me, let me go...

I have so many things to see and do,

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,

Be thankful for our beautiful years.



I gave to you my love, you can only guess

How much you gave to me in happiness...

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

But now it's time I traveled on alone.



So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for a time that we must part,

So bless the memories within your heart.



I won't be far away, for life goes on

So if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near,

And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear,

All of my love around you soft and clear.



And then, when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile, and say "Welcome Home!"



-- Author Unknown

To the beloved of Bob Grahn:



Though I'm a stranger to all of you but one, you all and Bob have been in my thoughts and prayers for quite a while. There you'll remain.



It's clear to me from reading all the entries that he must have been a special man; that he learned to love in a special way. How proud you must be! How fortunate!



I offer two poems:



The first a Girl Scout song, which may seem sad, but take the last phrase to heart;



"I want to linger

A little longer

A little longer here with you



It's such a perfect night

It doesn't seem quite right

That it should be my last with you



But as the years go by

I'll think of you and sigh

This is goodnight, and not goodbye."



The second is a poem by Emily Dickenson



"On this wondrous sea,

Sailing silently,

Knowest thou the shore

Ho! pilot, ho!

Where no breakers roar,

Where the storm is o'er?



In the silent west,

Many sails at rest,

Their anchors fast;

Thither I pilot thee,--

Land, ho! Eternity!

Ashore at last!"



Words cannot comfort now...now is the time to grieve.



But some tomorrow, cling to hope; he isn't gone, he's simply....waiting.



May God console you,

Karen

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Wendy,

I'm very sorry for your loss of your father. I did not have the opportunity to meet him, but by reading the other entries in this guest book I can tell he was very much like you. One of your guests mentioned how your father would embrace people when they met him and not afraid to show them that he loved them with a "big" hug. That description also describes you. He may be gone from this physical world, but he lives through each and every one of you in the future. You were very blessed to have had a father that was so much loved amongst all his family and peers.

No one could love you more!

No one could love you more!

Barbara,Wendy,Susie,Nancy Lee,Christopher,Josh,Maggie.MIchael,Kate

It was an honor for me to have known and spent time with Bobby. When my father passed and to be called "son by Bobby" was very special helped me greatly. When I first met Bobby got my first of many hugs and spent time in his office I realized this man was one of a kind. His pride for family and the people he helped was very touching and moving. I hope all of you realize how proud he was of each and everyone of you. I salute him as a veteran and enjoyed our conversations on that subject. Bobby is gone but will never leave us, the wink in his eye at the hospital let me know that. My thought's and love are with you guys. Bobby thank you for letting me in your life and in your words " Bobby,You Are The Best! Love Glen

First let me say that Bobby's 'celebration of life' surely was that and everything more in every sense of the phrase.



Bobby and I were not related, in fact I only got to see his bright smile during family dinners at Aunt Suzi and Uncle Louie's house. These dinners, although all memorable for many reasons, always seemed to be bright and cheery and full of laughter all lead by Bobby's bubbling personality. He amazed me at how he could get along so well with my grandmother, Sally, Bubby, a woman not easily tolerable in her older age. She always seemed to be smiling and appeared much happier when she was around him. Bobby seemed to have that effect on a lot people.

The one thing I will remember most, and always have, about Bobby will be his hugs. The man liked to hug people, and boy could he hug, bear hug almost. Even in his 70's, and with a bad lung, Bobby always hugged me with a passion that screamed, "It's great to see you again!" and it made me feel loved everytime he squeezed the breath out of me.

Bobby always seemed to have a new hot topic on his mind everytime I would see him for dinner. I remember one time he kept talking about Patch Adams and how great of a guy he was and how great the movie was. He was always entertaining to talk with. He would always tell me about his teaching experiences and I could tell just from listening to him how passionate he was about teaching the kids and allowing them to learn and use their minds. He never ceased to amaze me.

It's always difficult to go on in life after you have lost someone as great a person as Bobby was. The saddest thing for me is that I am probably too young and didn't get to spend enough time with him to even begin to fully understand what a great person he was and how he touched so many in his life. And now, all I have are memories. But some great ones they are. Thanks for the all the good times Bobby, I'll miss ya...

Dear Barbara, Suzi, Nancy, Wendy, and everyone in the Grahn family: We are so sorry to hear about Bob. Our thoughts are with you.



We are honored to have known Bob. We last saw him on September 2d, at the swimming pool of course. He was coated with suntan lotion, full of life, bursting with pride in his children and grandchildren, and never short of opinions or interest in our lives and the lives of our children. The pool will never be the same without Bob. Except for this past Christmas, Bob also was the longstanding holiday photographer for the Schauwecker/Jonesi/Berman family. Whenever I look at our family Christmas photos, I will think of the person behind the shutter -- Ruby's swimming teacher and our friend forever.



With love,

Fran, Gary, Alexander & Ian Jonesi

(Reston, VA)

Dear Suzie, Lou, Chris & Josh,



We are thinking of you and we are very sorry for your loss.

We know how much he meant to you and your family.

Fondly, Sharron & Jordan

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR THE LOST OF BOB. I WOULD SEE HIM ABOUT TWICE A YEAR IN SKOKIE AREA..OVER THE YEARS HE WOULD LET ME KNOW HOW ALL THE GIRLS WERE DOING IN THEIR CAREERS AND HOW THE GRANDCHILDREN WERE AND SO FORTH..SO I KINDA GREW UP WITH ALL OF YOU THRU YOUR DAD .. HE WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH ...

Nancy Lee,

Please accept my condolences to you and your family in your time of sorrow. While I only met your father once, he struck me as a kind, caring, brave man who obviously loved you very much. May God bless and keep you.

Justine Chambers

Leon and I feel very privilaged to have been at Bobby's "Celebration of his Life." All who left the service, came away a better person, simply because they knew so much more of this man called "Bobby" then they did when they came in. To look at your family, Suzie and Lou, is to know that his life has inspired all of you.

Love to you, Flora

I always found it amazing that Bobby was able to share so much life with his family and friends, even with all of the health problems that he faced in recent years. He was a true fighter. Though his uplifting spirit and energy will surely be missed by us it will never be forgotten.

Our love is with you, Earle, Sandy and Adam Greenberg

We are very sorry for your loss. The few times I had the occasion to be in the room with him I had always sensed an openess and acceptance of others regardless how well he knew them. Rest assured this is not the only place we are together. He now is in a better place getting things ready for new visitors and re-acquanting with old friends and family. He was /is a good and kind soul and that lives for eternity. Our love and thoughts are with you. Larry, Jamie, Justin, Michael and Danielle.

From a grateful and admiring bystander, God bless.



"Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me,

And may there be no moaning of the

bar, when I put out to sea.



But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound or foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep turns again home.



Twilight and evening bell and after that the dark,

And may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark.



For though from out our bourne of time and place, the flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my pilot face to face

when I have crossed the bar."

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Bob you were truly a good friend and a wonderful man. I will miss our swapping stories, lunches out together, your infectious laugh, and most of all your great big bear hugs. Each and every time we made plans to get together, I looked forward to seeing you to get a hug and give a hug. My sincere condolences to Barb and kids. I am privledged to have known you Bob.

I just found out about bob.I am so sorry. I really love him he was a friend and neighbor who you can count on all the time.My heart goes out to you barbara and the girls.



sincerely mimi rapper-niederkorn

The many years I have spent as Bobby's son-in-law have been so special and meaningful. From the first meeting when Richard Beckman and I met the blonde-headed father of a friend (my future wife, of course), a very big defining moment was the handshake with which we each had greeted him. That action allowed him to open his heart to me because he had judged my character from the handshake. Once he had opened his heart, the flow never stopped. I have no doubt that I will continue to be the recipient of his love.

From his perspective and since he was eternally 29, Suzi and I married when we were mere children. Bobby and I could not work together as we each learned when we tried to refinish the cabinets in the first apartment Suzi and I moved into. That was OK. We were still family. We still loved each other and loved the others we shared in our lives. My way of living was more logical; a product of my education and, I have said, of my own father’s passing when I was eight. His way was more emotional; a product of ……I honestly don’t know.

Suzi and I grew older, Bobby did not. His first grandchild, Christopher, was born. I truly believe that that allowed something special to bloom inside of Bobby. He loved his wife and his girls very much but for much of his life until shortly after his Tophie (all of his children and grandchildren had to have nicknames ending in the “ie” sound, Suzi, Nancy, Wendy, Louie, Toph-ie, Josh-ie, Maggie, Mike-ie, until one syllable Kate) was born he was an alcoholic. But at that time of his life, he retired, he became a recovering alcoholic, he quit smoking, he became a certified associate addictions counselor, he became a substitute-teacher-by-choice and, most importantly, he became a grateful grandfather.

How could a little child call a 29 year-old grandpa, zadie? So in keeping with the desire to give life a little sprucing, he became Bobby. No quotes, please. He was able to spend much time with his grandchildren. He would spend hours making connect-the-dot books so that his grandchildren could practice their letters and numbers. He would read to them while they would sit in his lap. Many times they would both fall asleep. Oftentimes he would drive out to pick them up at school and take them to a practice. His presence at their games and contest was constant. He was grateful for the lives of each grandchildren in which he shared.

Everyone called him Bobby. His wife, Barbara. His girls. His grandchildren. His grandchildren’s friends. His friends and neighbors. His students. His clients. My friends. Even me. I thought something strange was going on here. It was and I was along for the ride big-time. I was introduced to people at each and every restaurant we ate at. At sporting events for his grandchildren, Bobby introduced me to people who were my neighbors. At a recent graduation for my son, he introduced me to the principal’s wife. Everyone was a friend. And Bobby was a friend to all. And he loved each one. Without hesitation.

This is a special life. Absolutely. But you know what, I think it gets more special. I thought it was appropriate to place his obituary in his local newspaper. I also thought it was necessary to place it in my local newspaper. To notify my friends? No. To notify his friends? Yes. While spending time at his home after arrangements for his funeral and interment had been made, I was able to listen to many telephone conversations. Friends were calling from all over the United States. Message piled up. His daughters found many slips of paper with names and telephone numbers and little else and felt the need to call these people to let them know of Bobby’s death. Friends were deeply saddened. Friends wanted to know when they could say their goodbyes. So many friends. So many special friends. The breath and depth of his friendships is mind-boggling. It is also understandable considering the man and the way he lived….and loved.

Everything had to be perfect and love conquered all. One time, Suzi and I were arguing as we were driving in our van. It reached a point where I stopped the van near our house and got out to walk home. Leaving the van, I heard “do you want to talk about it?” from the back seat. It was Bobby. Even though Suzi and I love each other tremendously and sometimes butted heads, he wanted to intervene to make sure everything was OK. I guess love does conquer all. He and his love conquered all.

When he went into the hospital, nurses would be unable to learn the level of pain he was experiencing. He would always minimize his pain level to them. I thought his chart should always be tagged, “TML”. This man lies. Well, fibs, maybe. He just never wanted to burden others with his troubles.

I am glad that my sons were able to spend so much time with him. Their lives have become filled with a grandfather’s love, a Bobby’s love, a very special love. They were able to see a life filled with emotion. And from these life experiences they are able to fill their own lives with a mix of logic (from me) and emotion (from Bobby and family).

I was able to spend many year’s with a special man….someone who was totally unlike me. (some would say that is very good) I have recently learned that my father-in-law put me up on a pedestal. The genius of the family. The one who could do anything. Therefore, it is very true that opposite’s do attract. They love, they live, they respect, they learn, they share. I thank Bobby for his love and for teaching me about a special love and loving. I thank him for being Bobby, for allowing me into his family and for sharing so much of his love with me. I offer him another strong handshake, thanking him and saying, “You are the best, Bobby”.

My heart is broken but my mind reminds me my dear friend suffers no more. I love you all. Wanda

Barbara,

Sorry for your loss.

Your neighbor,

Marvin Marcus