Robert Henry Wohnrade

Robert Henry “Bob” Wohnrade, 77, Bull Valley, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock, with his family by his side after a courageous eight-year battle with Lewy body dementia.

He was born April 12, 1935, in Chicago to Harold and Vera (Kline) Wohnrade. On Aug. 24, 1957, he married Ruth Schaefer at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

His family moved to Wonder Lake when he was in the fourth grade. He attended Harrison School and was a 1953 graduate of McHenry Community High School and a 1957 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. 

He was a licensed engineer in Illinois, Wisconsin and Wyoming. He worked for Baxter and Woodman Engineers, Crystal Lake, for 19 years and spent the last few as a vice president. He started Diverse Engineering and Associates in 1976  designing numerous planned-unit developments in McHenry County. 

He served on the White Oaks Bay Association Board and was a past president of the Wonder Lake Property Owners Association.

He was a Boy Scout Leader for Wonder Lake Troop 145 and a member of Order of the Arrow.

He designed and built the family home in Bull Valley. He was a talented woodworker and loved to sail on Wonder Lake. He enjoyed fishing, hiking and spending time with his grandchildren at his pond. 

He was a quiet, gentle man with a wry sense of humor. He generously donated his body to science.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Steve (Trudy), Wonder Lake, and Mark (Krista) Wohnrade, Elmhurst; three daughters, Wendy (Tim) Bellagamba, Barrington, Mary Wohnrade, Broomfield, Colo., and Susan (Don) Schoen, La Crosse, Wis.; a brother, Richard Wohnrade; a sister, Joan Althoff; 12 grandchildren, Christine, Tim, Peter and Thomas Bellagamba, Joe Wohnrade, Brendan and Bobby Thompson, Don, Stephen and Matthew Schoen, and Stephanie and Andrew Wohnrade; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  three sisters-in-law, Peggy Kraus, Nadine Larkin and Anne Wohnrade; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Larkin and Jim Althoff. 

Visitation and the funeral Mass were Dec. 5 at The Church of Holy Apostles, McHenry.

The Rev. Paul White officiated.

Memorials can be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, Attn: Foundation 405, Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010.