Lake Bluff Obituary: Robert James Harley, 69

The following obituary was submitted to Patch.

Robert James Harley, age 69 years, of Lake Bluff, IL passed away on November 5, 2015 after an honorable eight-year journey fighting metastatic breast cancer.

Robert was born in Shorewood, WI on November 20, 1945 to William and Rosemarie Harley. Robert’s grandfather was co-founder of Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1903. After graduating from Marquette University High School, Robert attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the University of Iowa, following his passion to study Film and Photography. In 1969, Robert met the love of his life (then Kristine Willinger) at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. They were married very shortly thereafter on September 18, 1970, sharing 46 years of deep love.

Robert adored his family with intensity. He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, friend, brother, and uncle.

Robert was a truly adventurous spirit. He took bi-annual cross-country motorcycle trips, loved to hike in the rainforests of Costa Rica, to take his rowing shell out on Lake Michigan, and he could be seen walking his Akitas in Lake Bluff on any given day. Robert’s creativity manifested through his work as an award-winning Senior Executive Producer at Leo Burnett of Chicago for 20 years; he was a Cannes recipient.

Robert’s beautiful life lived is celebrated by his beloved wife and three daughters (Jessica, Eliza, and Chelsea Harley) of Lake Bluff, as well as his son-in-law, Dave Curtis. He is also survived by his two sisters, Mary Stocking of Hartland, WI, Roseanne Wright of Green Bay, WI, and many precious nieces and nephews. He is preceded by his brother, William Harley of Milwaukee, WI, and his parents.

A memorial gathering will be held at the south shelter at Lake Bluff Beach on November 21 at 1 P.M. in his honor.

Donations to the family to support the setting of a memorial tree or bench at Sunrise Park/Lake Bluff Beach are much appreciated.

Dad, we love you always and forever. You made everything seem possible and still do.