Robert Mann Obituary

Dear Sylvia & family:
It has been a long time...but I can tell you, I so often tell stories of my working with Bob...do you remember the anti-war bill in 1971/72? I was at the University of Chicago and interned with Bob working with him on welfare reform and the anti-war bill. After shutting down the University, Bob said to me "now let's get these folks (ie students) engaged in some legislation" and thus formed the (spontaneous!) anti-war coalition. We worked out of the Midas Muffler offices manning the phones (before cel phones!). I kept a list of all the callers, letter writers etc and this formed the mailing list for future Bob Mann Bread Parties! I remember all the Kosher Nostra showing up for Bob's Bread Parties!

What a guy...what a delight...what an experience to work with him...know him and you.

Thank you Bob....

Dear Sylvia,

I only just learned of Bob's passing. He was one of my political heroes and mentors. The cause of good government has lost a good friend.
My deepest sympathy.

Sylvia...Bob's fervor and committment to good government was evident on the playing fields of our youth. His career was consistent with the highest traditions of public service. I was happy to be his old friend and school chum and proud to have known him. His memory will make me smile as I'm sure it will make yours. My heartfelt best wishes to you and family.

Joe Feinberg
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Sylvia,
I only recently learned of Bob's death. I would have attended the service, if possible. Your loss is ours as well. With all my best wishes,

Sylvia,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passing. He was a great public servant and a good friend to my family. I remember how much my father Jack Bornstein loved him as a friend and patient. I will always be grateful to his kindness to me when my father died in 1974. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

To the Mann Family;

Elise you and your family have my condolences and you are in my prayers. Be blessed.

Dear Sylvia, Steve, Stuart, Laurie, Elise, and all Grandchildren. My condolences on the death of your husband, father, and grandfather. Your lost is felt by all of his friends, all who want honest government, that want legislators to work hard for the people. Those who always work for reform in government will now have someone looking out for them from above. The people of Illinois always benefitted from his work in government, and his legacy lives on by many who continue his work in Springfield and elsewhere. If there were legislators in Tallahaassee who had Bob's values, Florida would be much better off. I'm thinking of you at this time.

Elise, I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. If I can be of any comfort whatsoever, please, please call me (312/742-1117(wk). Its so hard to find words to comfort at this time. Please know I am sincere. May God give you comfort, for He is the only one who can truly give you peace at this time. You are in my prayers. Love, Catherine Aikens

To Sylvia, Steve, Stuart, Elise and Laurie. So sad to hear about Bob's passing. My sincere condolences

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

God Bless you and yours at this time of Bereavement. May the legacy of this great and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and more live within your fondest memories always. Sincerely!

My prayers and sympathy are with at this time. God Bless.

Sylvia and family

Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.

Arlene and Rod Walter

Elise, I'm sorry for your lose.

Elise,

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father Robert. May God bless you and your family and I'm sure that God has a new Angle. I will always love you. Alberta Daniels

Sylvia and family,
You have my deepest sympathy. The last time I saw you and Bob was at Marian Despres' funeral. I had a chance to talk with you as we waited in line to give condolences to Len. I want you to know how much I have admired Bob and you throughout the years. Claire has fond memories of babysitting for your girls.
Love to all, Noel (Naisbitt) Brusman

May God give you and your family Peace & Strength during this transition of your father.

They are not apart from us, but part of us. Henry Scott Holland


Prayerfully,

Elise,

I offer my condolences for your loss. When those close to us pass on it is best to find inspiration in the life they have lived and celebrate the positive memories shared together.

Stay strong and positive

Anthony

Dearest Mann Family,
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Bob. What a great man who introduced me to not only politics but hundreds of great people whose friendship I will cherish always.
My Love to All from a voice from the past.
Tony Gouletas

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Elise and Family may God bless you and you in this time of sorrow.

Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolencences. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Sincerely,

Dear Sylvia, Stuart, Steve, Laurie, and Elise (and all the grandchildren),

Wow. How devastating to learn of Bob's death. I can picture him last Christmas, a year ago (2006) at Jean and Adam's. I know he was ill this year, but of course everyone thought he'd be ok. The world is dimmer without him - especially in such a critical election year! I will always remember Bob as the person who inspired me to get/stay involved in politics, after my best friend, Rachel, had the nerve to follow her dad (Ab) to Washington.

I don't know if you know this story, so I'll tell you now, because you probably are walking around in a fog and need to hear something inspiring and funny! (I believe I told Bob this story a decade or more ago).... and the story is this: back in 1990, I was called by the Tribune to interview as a possible legman for Royko. I ended up being a finalist - it was me or another woman, and the only reason she got the job was because I flinched when Royko asked: "do you mind if I smoke?" (He was the only one in Tribune Tower allowed to smoke in the newsroom). Anyway, during the interview, I spoke with him about my two favorite columns- a depressing one about race, where a crazy nut was stopping people who fled the Dan Ryan, which was flooding in an unusual rainstorm. Some man rolled up his car window in fear of the guy with a shotgun, and then he blasted the gun into the vehicle, mudering the mom/wife inside the car. The whole column was about forgiveness. It was not a typical Royko column.

The second column.... was the one Royko wrote about Bob. We spoke at length about that column... written- when? Back in the 1970s - I think it was when Stuart and I were at Kenwood? Anyway...in the end, I didn't get the job to work directly for Royko (the smoking issue), but the reason Royko told the Trib to hire me in 1991 had something to do with my ability to repeat, almost verbatim, the words he used to describe Bob Mann.

Your dad would have been proud to know that I've just returned from three days campaigning for Obama in Philly. It was a fabulous three days, though I missed my daughter, Eliana.... Still, I got to be the first face of HQ, greeting people and funneling them to greater volunteering efforts then they first expected... (all they really wanted was to stop in for a button or bumper sticker... but we kept them there).

I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could be at Temple to mourn with you. From Washington D.C. - a big hug. Love, lisa