Robert A. May (76 years old) passed away on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Highland Park, Ill. after a brief illness. Robert is survived by Linda (nee Wallace), his wife of 49 years; his children Robin (Paul) Palmer of Arlington, Va.; April May of Waukegan, Ill.; Ryan (Maria) May of Beach Park, Ill.; and Amity May of Seattle, Wash.; grandsons Reagan and Connor May of Beach Park, Ill..; as well as a large extended family and countless friends. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His two grandsons were the apples of his eye.
Robert “Bob” was born in Chicago, Ill. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and spent the next 32 years serving his country, including two tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Newport News and a tour at Arlington National Cemetery in the Ceremonial Guard, where he participated in the burial of astronaut Roger Chaffee. He spent his final sea tour aboard the USS Enterprise. In 1984, he moved to his last assignment at NTC Great Lakes where he had begun his career 29 years earlier. Retiring in 1987 as Chief Warrant Officer 4, Bob went to work as the Director of Buildings and Grounds at North Chicago School District for 24 years. He then spent two years at Lake Zurich School District, before retiring for the second time in 2013. Twenty of these 26 years were spent as an employee of GCA Services Group.
Along with being devoted to his family, Bob was devoted to a variety of civic causes. During his time in the Navy, he participated as the Navy representative to the North Chicago Community High School Board. He was also involved with Project White Hat, a volunteer program with Children’s Memorial Hospital and for which he received the Navy League Award. He served on the board of the Great Lakes Credit Union; board member of Daisy’s Resource and Developmental Center; was appointed to the North Chicago Library Board; served on the North Chicago Community Days Organizing Committee; co-chaired the North Chicago Senior Citizen’s breakfast; and was a long-term, and committed member, of the North Chicago Lions Club.
There will be a viewing and memorial service in the Chicago area on Thursday, Oct. 16. A funeral will be held at the Deersville United Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Mission K9 Rescue.