Site address: http://www.memorialmatters.com/memorials.php?page=RobertLong
In Remembrance of Robert Lewis Long
24 June, 1922 ~ 13 September, 2010
Pekin, IL, United States
Message from Melanie Long:
" You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
written 1981
David Harkins 1959 -
Silloth, Cumbria, UK
"
Biography
Bob Long: husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, brother, friend, avid golfer and bowler left this earthly life to join his wife of 53 years... in heaven. Bob never knew a stranger, easily making friends and drawing others in with his quick wit, charm, and generosity. Bob (with one 'o') will be greatly missed.
Born June 22, 1922 in Dayton, Ohio to Ivan and Hazel (Whitworth) Long, he married Mary Belle Short on September 27, 1941 in Dayton, OH. She preceded him in death on October 3, 1995. He was preceded in death by one brother.
Surviving are two sons, Robert (Pat) Long Jr. of Oak Lawn, IL, and William (Melanie) Long of Pekin; one daughter, Kathy (Richard) Carper of Norfolk, VA; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Robert worked for Bendix Corporation in the sales department before retiring in 1980.
An avid bowler and golfer, Robert was a member of the Pekin Elks Lodge 1271 and the Sunset Hills Golf Club where he spent a great deal of time. He had a great sense of humor and loved making people laugh. Robert never knew a stranger. To him, they were just another member of the audience.
Bob served in the Navy during WWII, stationed in the South Pacific. Bob shared that there were many things in the war that weren't very nice, deciding not to ellaborate. Bob added, when he was discharged he took a train from California to Dayton arriving near midnight. After several years at sea, Bob stood at the train station alone now on home turf. Taking a cab to his home, Bob knocked on the door in the wee hours of the morning. Mary answered and their eyes met. Bob said it was like two strangers living together for quite awhile. I felt blessed to hear this story. Despite the interruption of a world war, their marriage sustained 53 years before Mary passed on.
Bob retired from Bendix Corporation, yet continued to work as an independent salesman for many years. This man could sell anything. Bob knew how to connect with people, discover their needs and respond with just the right joke, story, or pitch.
A loyal Cubs and Bears fan, Bob enjoyed baseball and football season. It is too bad the Cubs could never win a series! The Bears Superbowl Shuffle was one of Bob's favorite music videos.
It wasn't until a couple of years ago, that Bob would need a retirement village. The old house was just too much for one elderly person. The multilevels of the house didn't help either. Soon, we moved Bob to the retirement village in his own apartment - a new audience! Just like everywhere else, Bob made many friends. It wasn't long and he became the "poster child" for the village and was used in all the advertising. Some people have all the charisma!
Memories
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Candles & Flowers
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