Robert "Bob" Kretschmer

Robert “Bob” Kretschmer, 82, of Streamwood, IL formerly of Cicero, IL and Beaver Dam, WI passed away on August 17, 2023. Bob is the beloved husband of Janice; loving father of Cheryl (David) Clark, Renee Coughlin, and Shelly (Jay) Bernstein; cherished grandfather of Haley (Nate), Jeremiah, Charlotte, William (Lauren), Brenden, Noah, Audrey, Trey, and Leslie and great-grandfather of Elizabeth; dear brother of Richard (Ruth) and John; uncle and friend to many. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2023 from 1:00 pm until time of service at 5:00 pm at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 1640 S. Greenmeadows Blvd. Streamwood, IL 60107. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hanover Township Senior Services, 250 S. IL Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103. For information, please contact Countryside Funeral Home, 847-289-8054.



Robert (Bob) William Kretschmer was born July 10, 1941 in Beaver Dam Wi to William (Willie) Kretschmer and Verna Deglow. The oldest of three boys, he spent his days outdoors playing, climbing trees, hunting and fishing. As a young man he moved to Cicero Illinois where he met his red headed beauty, Janice Erickson. They married in 1962. He worked at the Sunbeam factory during the day and attended the union electrician apprenticeship training program at night. In 1965 they built their first and only home in Streamwood. They chose the largest lot available to accommodate a huge garden and many fruit trees. It was there that he raised three daughters and shared his passion for gardening and his love for cars. His prized possession (other than his family) was his 1923 Model T Ford Roadster that he built and customized from the bottom up. He lived for the roar of that engine and the thumbs up from the neighborhood boys. Many of them would bring their cars to him when they were having problems and he so enjoyed sharing his knowledge and lending a hand. He would drop whatever he was doing to help someone and put his whole heart into it. He could fix almost anything. Upon retiring from his job as a lineman, he spent his days wood working, gardening, tinkering and tweaking the roadster, and loving up on his nine grandchildren. They were his world and every university was proudly displayed on his truck. Bob passed away at home peacefully on August 17th. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness, big heart, and warm hugs.