Robert Allen Maderer

Robert Allen Maderer was born May 26, 1949, in Aurora, IL. He was the eldest son of Edwin and Patricia Maderer of Wheaton, IL.

Bob was a member of the first graduating class of Wheaton North High School in 1967, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. Many of the people he met in grade school and at North became lifelong friends whom he treasured for nearly 70 years.

Among them was Sandy Lass, a high school classmate he saw for the first time when he was 16 years old. They wed in 1972 and shared a 54-year marriage filled with love, laughter and adventure. Bob took tremendous pride in many things, but nothing more than the life he and Sandy built together, raising two sons and welcoming seven grandchildren.

Bob began his working life as a banker and mail carrier before settling behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer for the next 41 years. His most meaningful drive, however, came in 1981, when he and Sandy decided to leave Illinois for warmer weather in Orlando. Golf clubs replaced snow shovels, and Central Florida was home for the next 45 years, filled with trips to Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Daytona 500. He attended the race 40 times over a span of 42 years with family and friends.

Bob retired from trucking in 2016 and enjoyed years of teeing it up and travelling, often with his childhood friends. Among his favorite destinations were Pebble Beach, San Francisco, Estes Park, Sedona, and Bar Harbor. Yet his most frequent and treasured trips were to Marietta, GA, for his grandchildren's activities. He fought cancer for 10 years, but it did not stop him from attending harp recitals, cheerleading performances, and dance routines. After coaching Little League as a father, "Grandpa Bobba" cherished every opportunity to watch his grandkids play baseball, softball, and basketball.

Affectionately known as "Bobcat" by friends and extended family, Bob loved music, especially the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He proudly celebrated the 1985 Bears and the 2016 Cubs and often wondered aloud why neither managed to claim another championship during his lifetime.

Earlier this year, Bob and Sandy moved to Marietta to be closer to family. Bob passed away on July 23, 2026, at age 77, surrounded by his family.

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his two sons: Jason (Lisa) and their children Blake and Maggie; and Justin (Lisa) and their children Cate, Thomas, Leah, Paul, and Bridget. He is also survived by his sisters, Marianne of Wheaton, IL; Susan of Champlin, MN; and Karen of Springfield, IL; as well as his brother, Jim, of Chatham, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest sister, Linda.

A memorial service will be held at Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road, Marietta, 30062) on Friday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the WNHS Alumni Association to support the Roger Heaton Memorial or Boost Scholarship programs, or to My Brother’s Keeper of St. Ann.