E. Robert “Bob” Walther, 77, formerly of Arlington Heights, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Arlington Heights, IL, died Monday, February 7, 2005, in Tucson. Born July 31, 1927, in Chicago, he was the son of Albert H. and Sophie M. (Fleck) Walther. On July 27, 1957, Bob married Kathleen E. Barkman in Fenton, IL. Bob was a graduate of North Austin High School in Chicago. He attended Augustana University and Indiana University and received his Masters in Education from the University of Illinois. He taught and coached in Prophetstown, IL, Davenport, Iowa and Antioch, IL, before he came to High School District 214 in the northwest suburbs in Chicago. He retired as an administrator for Prospect High School in 1986. While coaching at Arlington High School before the State Footbal playoffs had been established, two of his teams were ranked Number 1 in the state in 1968 and 1970. Mr. Walther was a member of the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley, AZ, the Illinois and National Education Associations, South West Wood Carvers Association and he was a former member of the Northwest Suburban Wood Carvers Association. Survivors include his wife Kathleen “Katie” of Tucson; two sons Mark (Judy) Walther of Schaumburg, IL and Gregg (Dawn) Walther of Freeport, IL; five grandchildren, Grant, Logan and Collin Walther, all of Schaumburg, IL and Amanda and Austin Walther of Freeport, IL; two sisters-in-law, Irene Walther of Green Valley, AZ and Verna (Raymond) Johnson of Bettendorf, Iowa; one nephew, Don (Vickie) Walther of Tucson; and one grandnephew, Jonathan Walther of Gilbert, AZ; his parents and one brother, Albert, preceded him in death. The funeral service will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2005, at Adair Funeral Home, Avalon Chapel, in Tucson, AZ, with the Rev. Susan Sauerberg of Resurrection Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m., Saturday, until time of service at the funeral home. Following the services in Tucson, a visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Heights, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., (Four blocks south of Palatine Rd.), Arlington Heights, IL. A graveside service and burial will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 16, 2005, in the chapel at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights, IL, with the Rev. Don Myrom of Price of Peace Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, IL, officiating. A memorial has been established in his name. Please sign and view the family Guestbook at www.walkermortuary.com. Funeral information and www.GlueckertFH.com or 847-253-0168
