Robert O'Neil

Robert Anthony O’Neil, formerly of Youngstown, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Glen Ellyn, West Chicago, and Wheaton, died peacefully on April 11th. Loving husband of Joanne O’Neil since 1956, her dance partner since high school, and dedicated and caring parent. Father of Karen (Paul) Markowski, Linda (Pete) Fagan, and Patrick O’Neil. Devoted son of the late Rose and Norbert O’Neil and brother to the late Patsy Roche. Fondly remembered by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, collaborators, clients, and, likely, even strangers.

Bob was an artist and industrial designer who started his career with Ford Motor Company. He worked for notable design firms in Pittsburgh and Chicago before starting his own office, O’Neil Design. His intangible legacy may be the talk, ideas, laughter, and underlying compassion he offered to everyone he knew and met, but more so his inspiration to value their own life in the living and telling. Whether having an ice cream cone with a grandchild, hitting a bucket of balls, strolling with his wife in the neighborhood, visiting family, designing products or global safety symbols, painting a canvas propped on a table saw, each experience offered ideas to be discovered, connections to be made, and fun to be had, in equal measure.

Sadness is in his no longer being able to spend time with family and friends to talk of our days. Happiness is the many memorable good times doing so. 

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to give a small donation, please do so to the Cleveland Institute of Art (where he studied) or the Art Institute of Chicago (where he found and shared inspiration).

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL