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SERVICES
Robert T. Meyer
Robert Meyer, age 89, died on January 2, 2021 after a short illness. He was a long‐time resident of Palatine, IL, more recently living in Arlington Heights, IL.
Bob grew up in Akron, Ohio and graduated from Buchtel High School in 1949. He enrolled in the Navy ROTC at the University of Illinois where he graduated in 1954 with a degree in General Engineering. While in the Navy, Bob served as a Flight Instructor at NAS Kingsville, NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field, where he trained pilots for the Korean War. Flight students included members of the US Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the German and Australian Air Forces. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant, Senior Grade before leaving the Navy in 1962.
After a blind date in Pensacola and a short engagement, Bob married his late wife Edna on December 27, 1954. With his family in tow, they moved often in Bob’s career before he retired to Palatine, IL. Their lives were anchored through the churches they attended. Both he and Edna were members of First United Methodist Church in Palatine, IL, where Bob was especially active in the choir.
Following his Navy service, he began a long railroad career that took Bob and his family from Indiana to Ohio to Pennsylvania to Minnesota, and back to Indiana. Bob began his career with the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he worked as Superintendent of Track and later, as Trainmaster for Northwestern PA. A brief stint at the Penn Central RR. in 1970 was followed by years in management with the Bessemer & Lake Erie R.R. in Greenville, PA followed by nearly a decade with the Duluth, Mesaba & Iron Range RR. in Duluth, MN. He retired from the US Steel Railroads in early 80s. He and Edna later moved to Michigan City, Indiana to work with the SW Missouri RR, then with the South Shore Line before retiring in 1991. Retirement did not end his interest in railroading. Up until late 2012, Bob and his wife, Edna, attended annual meetings of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents, where he served as the Board’s Secretary. In 2011, both he and Edna received a special award for years of exemplary service. Bob was also active in Rotary International during the years he lived in Greenville, PA. In 2002, Bob and Edna moved to Palatine, IL to be closer to their grown children.
He is survived by his five children: Glenn, Chicago, IL; Paul (Kelly), McLean, VA; Gayle, Phoenix, AZ.; George, Phoenix, AZ.; Ellen (Felix) Gallo, Vernon Hills, IL.; four grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by his brothers: Jim, Twinsburg, OH; Bill (Kim), Norton, OH; John (Kate), Wilmington, NC; and Tim (Liz), Akron, OH. His wife, Edna, preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 2016, as did his sister Betty (Joe) Haas who died in April 2020.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to First Union Methodist Church in Palatine, IL or the University of Illinois Scholarship Fund.
Ronald D. Kostus
Ronald D. Kostus, 69, of Rolling Meadows, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 12, 2021 surrounded by family. He was born May 24, 1951 in Chicago to the late Victoria (nee Mosijewski) and Frank Kostus. Ron was the husband of Vida (nee Slavinskas); father of Kimberly, Casey (Stacey) and Kaitlin (Robert Krums) Kostus; and grandfather of Tyler.
Ron was an accomplished architect and had a successful firm for 40 years. He had a lifelong passion for flying and held both private and commercial pilot’s licenses. He was an avid RC modeler and participated in several local flying clubs. Ron had a love of motorcycles. He and wife Vida enjoyed their rides and trips on his Harley over the years. Fishing was another one of his pastimes, especially Canada trips with his son Casey in the “Lund”. He was a strong and sincere man who loved his family first and foremost and was always there to support them. Ron and Vida shared 47 wonderful years together.
A memorial mass will be Friday, January 22, at 10:30 am at St. Colette Church, 3900 Meadows Drive, Rolling Meadows. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.