Robert Vickery Obituary

We are so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Bob was such a wonderful guy. I met him through a friend years ago sailing. He then became our family's trusted contractor. He was always very kind to me and my family, very giving, hard-working, and always had a sense of humor. He will be missed very much.

Ted Jones

I am saddened to hear of your loss. It has been at least ten years since I last saw Bob and thirty years since we worked together. Reading these messages recalls many good memories.

We were deeply saddened to have Bob taken from us so soon. Bob was a rare treasure. With those somber eyes taking all in, incredible memory and experience he personified gravitas. Talented and gifted he was extremely generous with those gifts and talents and we learned much from his devotion to teamwork and collaboration.
All seriousness aside, his sense of humor under full sail, without fail, in the tales and in the telling, over many miles, brought forth countless smiles. From all of us on Momentus, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Kate and the rest of his family, we know how Bob would enrich a dull and quiet moment with the most extraordinary observations.

I am so beyond sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Thinking of you all and wishing you the most comfort and peace during this difficult time. Bob was genuine and caring and fun, and I'm so glad I got to meet him.

Bob was a gentle man and a gentleman. While I did not work on site with Bob, his commentary on the Habitat for Humanity BOD was insightful and brought good perspective to construction issues. He will be missed by all.

Bob was our neighbor and had been through so much over the last few years. He finally was on a road to happiness and peace with as he said, "new bride". My heart is saddened for his family and for the loss of his time with his wife and new home. God bless you all

So sorry to hear of your loss....our hearts hurt with and for you and the girls. Judy and George

I am deeply saddened by the passing of a man I liked, admired and respected as a result of my having worked and done business with him for many years. The contracting industry is rough. Bob was one of the few contractors that made the process a good thing. He was a consummate professional. There were times on larger projects that I would have to ask him to review his notes so that I could remember what we had resolved on a particular issue weeks after the fact. He was an honest, funny, hardworking man who will be missed by those of us who were blessed to have known him.

I met Bob soon after I began racing one-designs from Belmont many years ago and most recently talked to him about his new boat. He always had a smile and a kind word. Rest in peace.

I am one of the many people who had the great pleasure of sailing with Bob. Brilliant is an understatement. Bob became the mainsail on a race boat ... Becoming one with the wind, the power and the water. Bob was also the most generous person I ever met in 35 years of racing. He always took time to help tune your boat, provide guidance on how to make you fast and was brilliant sailor on the pond. Bob was clearly "the Lake Fox." If he was anywhere close to you in a race - he was a major threat and would likely beat you. Bob will be missed on Lake Michigan ... But has already won several match races in heaven. I will miss you Bob.

The staff and crew at Larsen Marine Service send their condolences. We are all wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

I have been a friend of Thomas for 13 years, and Tom talked about Bob often. Fifty-six seems so young. My condolences to Tom and the rest of the family.

The Vickery family members in Missouri send you our prays and thought. The last time we saw Bobby he was a very young adult.

I am so sorry for your family's loss.My thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time. Bob was such a wonderful man. I met Bob through Habitat for Humanity. I was the last house he worked on for Habitat. 222 Sioux Ave in Carpentersville. I will remember our talks on the front porch of my house as we were taking a break for lunch. One of the talks we had was him telling me all about his love for boating. The other talk we had was how much extra love and attention he put into my house because he always took such pride in his work and went that extra mile to make it really special for him. I never got to thank him for all his hard work because I thought i would see him again. So i am thanking him now. Mr Vickery thank you so much for all of the love and hard work you put into my house and it was a pleasure to get to know you and work along side of you. I am so glad that your fingerprints are all over my house. May you rest in Peace.

We are so sorry for your family's loss. It was an honor to serve alongside Bob on the Habitat board. He shall be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Kate, my heart aches for you. Bob sounded like he was your perfect fit. May you find peace.
Love, Jennifer Stenkamp

I was introduced to Bob through my guitar instructor Don Maloney. I had a love for sailing but have never considered myself a sailor but Bob pulled me into his crew and this past year I actually made the crew photo and envious position as movable ballast! Yes he had designated me as a rail rat and I was ready to do my part! That was Bob. He just pulled you into his world. I feel honored to know him and was lucky to be with Kate and Bob on Sunday. I arrived at Larsen Marine found him and the boat and was greeted and handed an industrial hand sander and off I went! I sanded the freeboard of Collaboration 3 getting it ready for this weekend's race! I will never forget Bob as he made me feel like a sailor! He brought me into his life and shared his family with me! I will never forget him! God Bless you Kate! He was a hell of a guy!

Mr. Vickery,
It is such a shock, but please know I appreciated everything you've done for me whether it was the boat or a simple meal for Jenny and I after school. You are such a lovely man and cared for your family deeply. I can't thank you enough for letting me experience the boat with Jen, your friends, and family.
May you rest in peace.

Jenny, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Know that God is with you.

It was wonderful knowing Bob . I am still using the construction calculator he gave me as a going away present. May his soul rest in peace. Jamie

Hi Bob,

I did not have a chance to tell you but I respect you deeply man..
They say you passed away.. but not to me..
You are still here ... and thank you for the memories....
You came up to me and invited me to sail with you and we had great times together.
They say .. and it is true.. one is never gone as long as someone remembers him... and you are still around.
Thank you Bob for the good times we had together. Thank you for your support.
Thank you for your effort to make all the racing happen. I remember how happy you were there standing behind the wheel
and singing... cracking jokes.

Thank you again and take care.

Still in shock....Bob was a good friend as we crewed together many times over two and one half decades on Dick Jennings' Pied Piper. Bob's success racing his Collaboration boats spoke well of his ability to skipper winning races against very strong world-class competition. I was looking forward to competing against Bob and his crew this weekend in the Tri-State regatta and will miss his mild manner and friendly smile. Condolences to Bob's family. Know well that I and indeed the Chicago sailing community will miss Bob this weekend and for a long time thereafter.

Jenny, you and your family will remain in my prayers through these difficult days. God is there for all of you. Let him comfort you in your grief.

Words can not begin to explain how sad and truly sorry I am for the entire Vickery family and there loss. I met Bob many many moons ago when my niece Jennifer was brought into this world. I knew at that time what a great man he was. I can never thank him enough for everything he has done for her. My condolences to his wife and family for there loss. The world has lost a great man and the heavens have gained an amazing angel.

I am stunned. We just saw Bob and Kate on Mackinac last month after the Mac. He was excited about the new boat. Back in the day, Bob was a Sea Scout and I was a Sea Scout leader - 5 years age difference! But I still recall the time, only a few years ago, also on Mackinac Island, when he thanked me for being a part of getting him started on his lifelong love of sailing. You're welcome - you were a great guy and you will be missed by so many of us.
My deepest condolences to Bob's family.

Kate, there are no words I can say. Just know I'm with you. I knew him well, and he loved you fiercely. He was the most amazingly loyal and kind man I've ever met. I'm here for anything.

All we can think about is how very happy Bob made our friend, Kate. We are so sorry for the grief that must be felt and waded through. But joyful that they found each other to share 515 days of heaven.