RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was the loving husband for 54 years of Alice, nee Bernards; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was the much-adored father of Michael, Ricky, Jon and Billy and the grandfather of eleven to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was the dear brother of Diane and the late Beverly; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was the Chief Executive Officer of Abt Electronics, a family-run business which has become one of the nation's largest independent electronic stores; and
WHEREAS, Abt Electronics was founded nearly 80 years ago in the Logan Square community of Chicago when Jewel Abt gave her husband, David, $800 to open a business; and
WHEREAS, Originally called Abt Radio, the company sold radios and appliances and was located next door to a bustling movie theater which created foot traffic and drew in customers; and
WHEREAS, Abt Electronics eventually settled in Glenview where it now sells tens of thousands of products and operates a 100,000-square-foot showroom on a sprawling 37-acre site; and
WHEREAS, Growing up in Chicago, Robert "Bob" Abt attended Peterson Grade School and Von Steuben High School and enjoyed trips to the Riverview Amusement Park and golf outings; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was such an avid golfer that he transferred from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa to the University of Florida in Gainesville where he could play the sport year-round; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt met his future wife, a native of Oak Park, at a party and the couple married at the Edgewater Beach Hotel; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt helped to expand the company with his dedication to customer service and quickly instituted ideas from third-generation members of the family who helped to increase the company's product base and instituted e-commerce; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Robert "Bob" Abt serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Robert "Bob" Abt to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Abt was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Robert "Bob" Abt imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Robert "Bob" Abt for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert "Bob" Abt.
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