Robert ‘Bob’ Fosse, 79

Robert “Bob” Allen Fosse, age 79, formerly of Woodstock, passed away on June 11, 2026, in Lakeland, Fla. He died due to complications of heart disease .

Bob was born on March 4, 1947, at Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago to Donald Stanton and Loucille Fosse (née Witkiewicz). He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Chicago and worked a variety of jobs as a young adult, including as a signalman for The Chicago and North Western Railroad and as a barista at Le Figaro Café in New York City. Soon after, he returned to Chicago to work for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. Bob delivered mail for 26 years in Chicago and Woodstock before retiring in 2003. He was a proud union member and shop steward for the National Association of Letter Carriers. In retirement, Bob first worked for Blain’s Farm and Fleet in Woodstock and later at the Woodstock Opera House. He celebrated his 60th birthday party at the Stage Left Café at the Opera House, performing music with his cousins and sons.

Bob was a self-taught musician, first learning to play his father’s plectron banjo when he was 8 years old. When he was 17, he was able to perform folk music in bars and clubs throughout Chicago due to his striking resemblance to his older brother, Don, and Don’s encouraging camaraderie. He would continue to perform throughout his life, sometimes going by the stage name “The Mad Hatter.” Bob was known for having a strong stage presence, and he also played the accordion, guitar, harmonica, and mountain dulcimer.

In addition to folk music, Bob had a lifelong fascination with history, warfare, and contrarian politics. He was voted “Most Individualistic” at his 50th high school reunion. Bob admired his namesake and uncle, the dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse. Bob was frequently seen reading and rereading one of his favorite books, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. He enjoyed car camping and did so when he visited his sons in Kansas. Bob is survived by his second wife of over 40 years, Linda Kelly-Fosse, as well as his two stepsons, Jonathan Hanson and Chadwick Hanson, with whom he lived in Harvard and Woodstock. He is also survived by his older brother, Donald Fosse, of Mendocino, Calif., and his three sons from his first marriage: Ben F. Fosse, Nathan E. Fosse, and Ethan A. Fosse. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Zoey Fosse-Harris and Miles Fosse-Harris.

A private ceremony will be held in the Chicago area this fall, where his ashes will be scattered.