Robert D. Summers had everything he ever wanted in those he loved. Family members said his idea of entertainment was to spend an evening at home with his wife and kids, swapping stories and sharing bits of information about each other’s lives. “He was a true family man,” said his daughter, Susan Dziura. “He was quiet and not one to readily show his emotions, but there was never any doubt how much he loved you or that he’d do anything for you.” Mr. Summers, 69, of Hinsdale, an Air Force veteran and retired mechanic, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, in his home, of cancer. Born in Chicago, Mr. Summers spent most of his childhood in southern Illinois, outside of Johnston City. From 1951 to 1954, he was an airplane mechanic in the Air Force, stationed at bases in New York and Texas. A resident of Hinsdale since 1966, Mr. Summers worked more than 40 years as a mechanic for Pettibone-Mercury, a manufacturer of industrial equipment, at factories in Chicago and Elmhurst. After the death of his wife, JoAnn, in 1990, Mr. Summers took an early retirement, spending the last several years enjoying his grandchildren and working on his coin collection. “Towards the end, he didn’t care about his pain or that he was dying,” said his daughter. “All that mattered to him were his kids and his hopes that we’d continue to be happy.” Mr. Summers is also survived by two sons, Robert and Roger; a sister, Sharon Vick; and four grandchildren. Services have been held.
