Robert H. Hockberger

Robert H. Hockberger, age 91, of Lansing, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Riley Residence in Munster, IN. He is survived by his loving wife Ida (nee Ristucci-Rizzuto), sons; Bob (Patty), Paul (late Beverly), Phil (Brenda), Joe (Theresa) and John, step-daughters; Juanita (Don) Carroll, Annette Rizzuto and Nancy (Curt) Hatfield, grandchildren; Heidi, Eric, Patrick, Misy and Hanna Hockberger, Danielle, Brad and Bret Hatfield and Lisa (Peter) Carroll-Mangelsdorp. Preceded in death by wife and mother of his boys, Doris (nee Monroe), dearly-missed son Jim, father Hugh, mother Anna (nee Schrage), brothers William and John. Bob was a decorated WWII veteran that served on General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff as Chief of Airfield Construction during and after the D-Day invasion of Europe. He retired from the United States Army with the rank of Lt. Colonel. A licensed Professional Engineer, he earned graduate degrees in Engineering from both the University of Michigan and Harvard University. His professional accomplishments included working on the Panama Canal and the original O’Hare Airport, as well as, many of the landmark construction projects across the Midwest. He was employed as Vice President of Griffin Wellpoint (Dewatering) and Chief Engineer of Midwest Dewatering from 1950 to 1997, a 47-year career that crossed many paths and taught many lessons. Bob believed that every day brought new opportunities and new knowledge. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by his family, friends and colleagues as someone that truly cared and would always be there for help and support. Private funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at the Kish Funeral Home in Munster, IN. Bob will be laid to rest with his family in Idaho. Friends and neighbors are invited to a mass celebrating Bob’s life, to be held at St. Victor Church in Calumet City, IL on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 12:00 noon. The family requests that donations be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area for the wonderful care and support that they gave to Bob and Ida and their children.