Robert Edmond Bakalar, Sr., ("Bob"), age 79, of DeMotte, IN, formerly of Lansing, IL and Hammond IN, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 in hospice at Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village in DeMotte, IN after a quick but courageous battle with bladder cancer. He was born on March 25, 1944, in Hammond, IN, and graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, IL in 1962.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents 1st Lieutenant John E. Bakalar and Dorothea J. Dugan (nee Daily), stepfather James P. Dugan Sr., brother James P. Dugan, Jr., and wife Suzanne L. Bakalar (nee Klitzke).
Bob was a proud member of 2 unions: I.A.T.S.E. Local #125 and I.B.E.W. Local #697. In 2019 he was honored by both unions by earning 50-year memberships in each. While in the movie theater and stagehands union he was a projectionist for many years and also worked many rock and roll shows. In the late 1970s, Styx enjoyed working with Bob so much that they wanted him to join their road crew (which he declined, having a family at home). He finished his time as a stagehand by being a business agent at the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. As an electrician, he worked all over Northwest Indiana (and sometimes you could get him to point out various Jewel stores, high schools, mills, and even a prison where he applied his trade). Bob finished his working career as the Building Official for Lake County, Indiana.
Bob enjoyed several hobbies in his lifetime; golfing, fishing, riding motorcycles (always a Harley), and attending Chicago White Sox games, Chicago Blackhawks games, and Northwestern Football games.
Bob wished to be cremated and buried by his family in Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN with a private graveside service for immediate family and close friends to be held in the coming weeks. A celebration of life will also be planned for friends in the DeMotte, IN area. Donations in his memory may be made to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus, IN
Bob was preceded in death by his parents 1st Lieutenant John E. Bakalar and Dorothea J. Dugan (nee Daily), stepfather James P. Dugan Sr., brother James P. Dugan, Jr., and wife Suzanne L. Bakalar (nee Klitzke).
Bob was a proud member of 2 unions: I.A.T.S.E. Local #125 and I.B.E.W. Local #697. In 2019 he was honored by both unions by earning 50-year memberships in each. While in the movie theater and stagehands union he was a projectionist for many years and also worked many rock and roll shows. In the late 1970s, Styx enjoyed working with Bob so much that they wanted him to join their road crew (which he declined, having a family at home). He finished his time as a stagehand by being a business agent at the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. As an electrician, he worked all over Northwest Indiana (and sometimes you could get him to point out various Jewel stores, high schools, mills, and even a prison where he applied his trade). Bob finished his working career as the Building Official for Lake County, Indiana.
Bob enjoyed several hobbies in his lifetime; golfing, fishing, riding motorcycles (always a Harley), and attending Chicago White Sox games, Chicago Blackhawks games, and Northwestern Football games.
Bob wished to be cremated and buried by his family in Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN with a private graveside service for immediate family and close friends to be held in the coming weeks. A celebration of life will also be planned for friends in the DeMotte, IN area. Donations in his memory may be made to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus, IN
Robert Edmond Bakalar, Sr., ("Bob"), age 79, of DeMotte, IN, formerly of Lansing, IL and Hammond IN, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 in hospice at Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village in DeMotte, IN after a quick but courageous battle with bladder cancer. He was born on March 25, 1944, in Hammond, IN, and graduated from Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, IL in 1962.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents 1st Lieutenant John E. Bakalar and Dorothea J. Dugan (nee Daily), stepfather James P. Dugan Sr., brother James P. Dugan, Jr., and wife Suzanne L. Bakalar (nee Klitzke).
Bob was a proud member of 2 unions: I.A.T.S.E. Local #125 and I.B.E.W. Local #697. In 2019 he was honored by both unions by earning 50-year memberships in each. While in the movie theater and stagehands union he was a projectionist for many years and also worked many rock and roll shows. In the late 1970s, Styx enjoyed working with Bob so much that they wanted him to join their road crew (which he declined, having a family at home). He finished his time as a stagehand by being a business agent at the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. As an electrician, he worked all over Northwest Indiana (and sometimes you could get him to point out various Jewel stores, high schools, mills, and even a prison where he applied his trade). Bob finished his working career as the Building Official for Lake County, Indiana.
Bob enjoyed several hobbies in his lifetime; golfing, fishing, riding motorcycles (always a Harley), and attending Chicago White Sox games, Chicago Blackhawks games, and Northwestern Football games.
Bob wished to be cremated and buried by his family in Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN with a private graveside service for immediate family and close friends to be held in the coming weeks. A celebration of life will also be planned for friends in the DeMotte, IN area. Donations in his memory may be made to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus, IN
Bob was preceded in death by his parents 1st Lieutenant John E. Bakalar and Dorothea J. Dugan (nee Daily), stepfather James P. Dugan Sr., brother James P. Dugan, Jr., and wife Suzanne L. Bakalar (nee Klitzke).
Bob was a proud member of 2 unions: I.A.T.S.E. Local #125 and I.B.E.W. Local #697. In 2019 he was honored by both unions by earning 50-year memberships in each. While in the movie theater and stagehands union he was a projectionist for many years and also worked many rock and roll shows. In the late 1970s, Styx enjoyed working with Bob so much that they wanted him to join their road crew (which he declined, having a family at home). He finished his time as a stagehand by being a business agent at the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. As an electrician, he worked all over Northwest Indiana (and sometimes you could get him to point out various Jewel stores, high schools, mills, and even a prison where he applied his trade). Bob finished his working career as the Building Official for Lake County, Indiana.
Bob enjoyed several hobbies in his lifetime; golfing, fishing, riding motorcycles (always a Harley), and attending Chicago White Sox games, Chicago Blackhawks games, and Northwestern Football games.
Bob wished to be cremated and buried by his family in Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, IN with a private graveside service for immediate family and close friends to be held in the coming weeks. A celebration of life will also be planned for friends in the DeMotte, IN area. Donations in his memory may be made to the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus, IN
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