Robert P Curran

ROBERT P. CURRAN (November 25, 1964 – July 30, 2018). Robert “Bob” Curran, age 53, passed away unexpectedly and tragically on Monday, July30, 2018. Bob was born November 25, 1964, in Berwyn, Illinois. He graduated from Lake Park High School, Roselle, Illinois, in 1982. On October 26, 1991, Bob married the former Suzanne Grystar. She survives. The couple had two children, Jeremy and Taylor.

Bob was employed by ETS Lindgren as the company’s IT Manager. At the age 16 he began working for Lindgren RF Enclosures, his family’s business. Bob continued to work for the company after it was sold in 2002 to Esco Corporation as ETS Lindgren. Bob spent his early years with the company traveling the globe installing radio frequency and magnetic imaging shielding enclosures in American embassies and other facilities, for the United States government and private businesses. Later, his incredible technological talents were put to good use when he advanced to the IT Department and became the company’s IT manager.

Bob worked hard and played hard. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Everything he did, he did well. In his younger days he was an avid waterskier, snowmobiler, and hockey player. In recent years he became a racquetball enthusiast, but his first love was still hockey, and he continued to compete in a local men’s league. A member of the hockey team “The Hitmen,”Bob enjoyed spending time on the ice with his teammates. Bob was an avid fan of the Bears, Blackhawks and White Sox.

Bob was also an accomplished race car driver, and owned Bob Curran Racing. He drove a 1996 Gran Sport Corvette in drag racing events across the country. During his racing career, Bob raced in the NMCA Series in the EZ Street/Xtreme Street Class. Throughout the years Bob won three championships and five Wallys. He blasted his way into the record books with a 166.95 mph trip through the lights at Cecil County, Maryland. In 2002 he was named NMCAEZ Street Champion.

Bob’s other hobbies included deep sea fishing with his parents other family and friends in the Florida Keys, and shoveling snow. His favorite hobbies were his children’s activities, and he enjoyed watching them in dance and lacrosse.

Bob was a selfless individual, and was always available to help his many friends. He was everyone’s “Go-To Guy” for everything, big and small. He would happily stop what he was doing to help a friend, at the drop of a hat. Whether it was an IT question, a car issue, or just much needed advice, Bob was there to help.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Suzanne, of Bartlett, Illinois; son Jeremy, and daughter Taylor, both of Bartlett; Parents, Bill and Joyce Curran, Sr., of South Barrington; Brother Bill (Lori) Curran, Jr., of South Barrington; Father and mother-in-law, Chuck and Pat Grystar, Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin; Sister-in-law Diana Budge, Deerfield; Nephew Brendan Budge and niece Lindsey Budge, Deerfield; Nephew Zachary Curran, South Barrington; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many dear friends.

Family and Friends who would like to make a donation in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Association, 3816 Payshere Circle, Chicago, IL 60074 or Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631 would be greatly appreciated.

Bob was always positive, always confident. He never gave up on anything or anyone. No matter how difficult a situation, he remained optimistic. In the face of adversity, he would smile and offer his signature line, “It’ll be fine.” And, as promised, it usually was.

All of us who knew and loved Bob are devastated at his passing. He meant so much to us, and his untimely death represents a tragic loss. Yet, we know that he would want us to remember him as he was – happy and full of a zest for life. He would want us to remember all of the good times, and he would want us to smile, not cry, at those memories. He would want us to celebrate his life, not mourn it. We can almost hear him say these words:
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I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when day is gone.
*

I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times, and laughing times,
and bright and sunny days.
*

I’d like the tears of those who grieve
to dry before the sun,
of happy memories that I leave
when my life is done.