Robert P. Cross III

March 6, 1937 - January 4, 2021

Robert Patterson Cross, III, 83, of Flossmoor, Illinois and Palm Harbor, Florida died of natural causes on January 4, 2021 in Safety Harbor, Florida. Bob was born March 3, 1937 to Robert and Harriet Cross in Evanston, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Julie, his sons Robert (Loan) and Stephen (Samatha), and grandchildren Brigitte Lyons (Lucus), Raquel, Natalie, Serena, and Benjamin, and sisters Margaret Levenberg (Milt) and Donna Bretl (Tom). A loving husband, benevolent father and loyal friend, he provided the security of a happy home whose door was always open. Bob graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He retired in 2001 after working 40 years as an industrial engineer at Acme Steel Company. Bob was known for his keen mind, quick wit, honest opinions and principled character. He valued education, eschewed sacrifice and was a reasoned beacon in times of tribulation. Among his many interests, Bob enjoyed his family and friends, the outdoors, cycling, hiking and photography. In retirement he became a pickleball enthusiast. Bob always gave his best effort, whether hiking from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River and back in a single day or Isle Royal from end to end in a week or bicycling from Milwaukee to Portland, Maine. A memorial service will be held at a future date at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Donation in his memory may be made to Camp Manito-Wish YMCA, PO Box 246, Boulder Junction, WI 54512 or Respond Now, 1439 Emerald Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL 60411.