As a successful Chicago commercial real estate executive, Robert Misch was at home with numbers, but he also loved the world of words.
“Webster’s Dictionary occupied an important place in our living room, and my father was always turning to it,” said his son Donald. “He was very good at his job, but that wasn’t his essence. I think if he had it to do all over again, he would have been a full-time professor of language.”
Mr. Misch, 86, died Saturday, June 17, at his Highland Park home. He had been ill for some time after a stroke.
Mr. Misch was an expert at crossword puzzles and corresponded regularly with New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz, his son said. He also studied several foreign languages.
On his train commute to Chicago from his home, Mr. Misch taught himself Spanish so he could read “Don Quixote” in its original language.
“In today’s lexicon, my father was a lifelong learner,” said his son, who added that in addition to mastering foreign languages, Mr. Misch was a world traveler, stamp collector, Indonesian art aficionado and skilled juggler and unicyclist.
Mr. Misch’s love of learning began during his childhood in Glencoe, where his curiosity was such that some family members thought he might become a rabbi.
After graduating from New Trier Township High School, he received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
During World War II, he served as a radio operator in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands for the Army.
After the war, he attended Harvard Business School and graduated at the top of his class.
Mr. Misch worked for Weil-McLain Co., a manufacturer of residential and commercial gas and oil boilers, before “falling into commercial real estate,” his son said.
He was employed for several years with Draper and Kramer Inc. in Chicago, before joining Strobeck, Reiss & Co., also in Chicago, in 1965. He worked there for 17 years, rising to senior vice president.
“Bob was a real professional,” said Charles Strobeck, a founder and principal of the firm. “He was a man of honesty, integrity and loyalty, and he was intense. He kept a file box full of cards on all the office buildings in the city.”
After retiring in 1982, Mr. Misch helped found the Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago. He later served as chapter president.
“He knew people who were affected by the disease and wanted to do something to help,” his son said.
During the last 20 years, Mr. Misch’s interest in learning centered on the study of Taoism and tai chi.
“As he got older, he wanted to know, `What’s the meaning of life?’ and in particular, `What’s the meaning of my life?'” his son said.
Mr. Misch’s first marriage to Claire Bezark ended in an amicable divorce, family members said. In addition to his son, Mr. Misch is survived by his wife of 16 years, Arlene Stephenson; another son, David; and two grandchildren.
Services have been held.
