Hombaker, Robert L. Passed away peacefully at home in Waukegan, IL on December 20, 2014 at age 88.
Robert is survived by his wife, Phyllis R. Hombaker (nee Myers); his two sons, Robert L. Hombaker (Darlene Agena-Hombaker) of Round Lake Beach and William Kurt Hombaker (Tammara A. Hombaker) of Antioch, IL; four grandchildren, Jon M. Bevans of Round Lake Beach, Stephan K. Hombaker of Chicago, Christopher E. Hombaker of Antioch, Markus L. Hombaker of Antioch; and finally, one great-grandchild, Angel Marie DiMeo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Robert was born August 2, 1926 to Archie Hombaker and Ann Hombaker in Streator, IL. He achieved a master's degree in education from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado in 1959. His undergraduate work was completed at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He began his career in central Illinois, teaching in one room school houses which he credited his success in education. Robert took a position as an educator in Farmer City, Illinois where he met his future wife, Phyllis Ruth Myers. They were married on May 30, 1960 at the Sacred Heart Church in Farmer's City, Illinois, and celebrated 54 years of marriage as a couple, partners, and best friends. They moved to Waukegan, Illinois shortly after and both celebrated fulfilling careers as educators, with Robert teaching at Greenwood Elementary School and Phyllis teaching at McCall Elementary School until their retirement in 1987. Robert was a dedicated educator with special interest in natural science. His love for nature, plants, flowers, trees and wildlife was paramount in his life. He loved to work with numbers, supplementing his position as an educator with positions in Cash Control at Six Flags Great America, as a tax preparer for H & R Block and managing the family farm partnership. Robert was a dedicated Roman Catholic, belonging the Our Lady of Humility parish serving as a minister of communion. Among his numerous associations, Robert was a life member of Phi Delta Kappa since 1956, a 3rd Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Waukegan Council 731 since 1973, a life member of the Illinois Education Association, Friends of the Waukegan Library and Illinois Retired Teacher's Association. |