Robert Hall Bukowski
Of Arlington Heights

Robert Hall Bukowski was born June 9, 1922 in Oak Park, Ill. to Peter Ivan and Gertrude Edna (nee Hall) Bukowski. He died June 4, 2008 at Northwest Community Healthcare Center in Arlington Heights.

Mr. Bukowski was raised in Norwood Park, Chicago and attended Lane Technical High School and later the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1943 with a degree in Finance and Banking. From 1943-1946 he served in the US Army participating in the European Theater of Operations.

Robert started his banking career at the Federal Reserve Bank, Chicago as a field representative. His considerable banking experience was at the Continental Bank where he rose to the post of Senior Vice President – 1956-1977. He represented the Continental on the Board of InterBank Card Association (MasterCard International) from 1970-1975, serving at its chair in 1973. Later Bob became the Chairman and CEO of Premier Banks of Northern Illinois in Lake County from 1977-1981. The remainder of his banking career focused on investment consultation. During the savings and loan crisis he applied his banking expertise to the federal government’s Resolution Trust Corporation (FDIC) as a supervising managing agent.

In addition to his working career, Robert was a leader in his community. He served as an Arlington Heights Village Trustee form 1957-1961, director Lattoff YMCA, 1958-1962, founding director of The Bank and Trust Company of Arlington Heights and Northwest Trust and Savings Bank – 1960-1981, member 1960-1992 and board chairman 1976-1979 of Northwest Community Hospital, member 1964-1970 and chairman 1967-1970 of District 25 Board of Education, member of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council 1984-1995, President Northwest Community Health Services Foundation 1993-1995.

The Christian Church was another important part of Robert’s life. He served in leadership roles at both the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights and Trinity Presbyterian Church of Tucson, Ariz., as a church school teacher and an Elder.

Other memberships include, West Point Society, Tucson, Arizona, American Bankers Association, Union League Club of Chicago, Medinah Country Club, Economics Club, Chicago and Bankers Club, Chicago.

Bob’s survivors include his wife Betty Lou (nee Olson) whom he married May 25, 1946; his children Merrilee Hall of Wheaton, Nancy (Rob) Lincoln of Arlington Heights, Peter Bukowski of Palatine, and Patricia (Terry) May of Beaverton, Ore.; his grandchildren Bryn (Eric) Wulf, Todd Lincoln, Carrie (Jeff) Martinka and Peter Lincoln; great granddaughters Hayden and Hannah Wulf; his sister Edith Kooyumjian; and many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.

A memorial service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. The service is preceded by a visitation from 1:00 until 3:00 PM in the church parlor.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Northwest Community Healthcare Foundation, 3060 Salt Creek Lane, Suite #110, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5993.

The Bukowski family thanks the caregivers at Northwest Community Hospital, ManorCare and Hospice of Northeastern Illinois for their loving and professional care during Bob’s recent hospitalization.