Robert Lamont Obituary

Lamont, Robert Mitchell

Robert Mitchell Lamont (89) of Rogers Park, a neighborhood of Chicago, was an educator and an activist. Born on the South Side of Chicago on March 26, 1936 to Jessie Sarah Mitchell and Robert John Albert Lamont, he grew up in the Presbyterian church along with his younger siblings Cheryl and Bruce, who survive him. Rob always had a love for storytelling, which found expression in his careers as an American History teacher, and later as an actor, narrator, voiceover artist, news broadcaster, and live theater audio describer for the blind. Having served three years in the Army in Berlin after high school, he worked relentlessly for peace and justice, from driving to meet Fanny Lou Hamer and Mr. Amize Moore in Cleveland, Mississippi in 1964 to hand-deliver food aid, to establishing the African-American History program at Westinghouse High School before any African American had the credentials required by the Chicago Board of Education, to his monthly appearances at Chicago Board of Education meetings with Arnold Stieber to speak as representatives of Veterans for Peace Chicago Chapter against introducing ROTC to middle schools.

Robert married Suzanne Haslett in 1965, and raised their two daughters, Elizabeth and Juliana, in Oak Park while teaching at Westinghouse Vocational High School. He is survived by his daughters and three grandchildren, Emese, Levente, and Endre, and his loving wife of 38 years, Gail Swantko Lamont. Together, he and Gail worked to love and help their neighbors in ways big and small, and they are beloved by many. During his three decades of retirement, Robert volunteered in many areas, including as the Monday 8 am news broadcaster on Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, monthly readings for the permanent residents at Hines Hospital, voter registration, Family Promise, and 13 bus trips to Iowa to canvass during the two Obama presidential campaigns.

Robert passed away peacefully on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Evanston, after several days surrounded by the loving care of his wife and daughters.

His memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28th at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church of Evanston, Illinois (1430 South Blvd) followed by a lunch reception in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Grace Lutheran Church (Robert Lamont Memorial Fund), Veterans for Peace Chicago Chapter, or the Dementia Society of America.

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