Lake Forest Obituary: William J. Dobeus (Bill), 83

The following obituary is courtesy of Wenban Funeral Home.

William J Dobeus (Bill), 83 of Lake Forest passed away October 19, 2015. Bill was born September 1, 1932 to Vander and Mable Dobeus in Spokane, WA. Bill is survived by Judy, his wife of 52 years and his 3 children, Lori (Kris), Bob (Kellie), and Jim (Gina) as well as 3 grandchildren, Dani, Mack, and Mason. . Following in his father’s footsteps Bill began his career in engineering at Tractomotive Corporation in Deerfield Il. Bill continued with the company as it became Allis Chalmers and later FiatAllis. He retired in 1981 as the Head of Product Engineering. Alumni of Purdue University (Class of 1955), he rowed in the Purdue crew club, an organization he continued to support throughout his life. Bill was a member of Delta Delta chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity where he made lifelong friends. He was an avid sailor, photographer, skier and tinkerer. He spent many years refurbishing a 1946 MG TC. He was a member and for several years the President of the Chicagoland MG Car Club. He sailed 3 Chicago to Mackinac sailboat races. Bill took hundreds of photos of his family whom he valued above all else and who miss him greatly. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 AM on Friday October 23, 2015 at The Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, IL. Visitation will take place from 4-7 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest, IL. Donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Research of Illinois in William’s name: http//www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp