Robert G. Fleming, 78, of North Aurora, a former assistant superintendent of highways for Kane County, died from kidney failure brought on by diabetes on Saturday, Nov. 23, in McAuley Manor Nursing Home in Aurora. Mr. Fleming was a native of Springfield. A bright student, he excelled in math and skipped two grade levels, graduating from high school early, at age 16. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific from 1943 to 1946. In 1950 he graduated from the University of Missouri at Rolla with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. “He was always good with numbers, so becoming an engineer was kind of a natural course for him,” said his son Robert J. After college, Mr. Fleming worked as a sales engineer with several companies in the Midwest, and for a brief time he was a civil engineer on the Pennsylvania Turnpike project. He then returned to Springfield for a job with the Illinois Department of Highways. He later was transferred by the department to the Fox River Valley. In 1968, Mr. Fleming became assistant superintendent of highways for Kane County, and in that post he helped oversee the construction of many major roadways, including Kirk Road and Fabyan Parkway, participated in the planning of others and was responsible for road maintenance. “During his years with the county he was always looking out for the taxpayers, making sure that with each project they got their money’s worth,” said his son. He retired in 1984.. Other survivors include two more sons, Donald and Terrence; a sister, Mary Duggan; and seven grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Yurs-Peterson-Moss Funeral Home, 209 South Batavia Ave., Batavia. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.
