Robert Reidel Obituary

Robert "Bob" Kenneth Reidel
Baldwin,MI
05/05/1947 - 02/06/2026
Robert 'Bob' Reidel, age 78, of Baldwin, Michigan lived a wonderful life. He was a loving husband, a proud father and grandfather, and an active community member.
Bob was born in Libertyville, Illinois on May 5, 1947, to Wallace and Amelia Reidel. He was the youngest of four children. Bob graduated from Mundelein High School in 1965.
Shortly after high school, Bob was drafted into the Army. He served in the Vietnam War where he was in the 9th Infantry Division (River Rat). He was very proud to serve his country.
On his return to Illinois, Bob joined the Lake Forest Police Department in 1969.
He met the love of his life, Ruthie Flaig, and they knew they were meant to be together. They were married on June 14, 1970, in the Bureau Congregational Church in Bureau, Illinois and built a beautiful life together. Bob and Ruthie had four children, Rachele, Emily, Carissa, and Jacob, who meant the world to them. They took many memorable vacations together and spent lots of time with Ruthie's family in Princeton, Illinois.
When Ruthie died unexpectedly in 1997, Bob's strength held his family together as they continued their life in the Lake Bluff and Lake Forest Communities. Bob was a great neighbor and an active member in Grace United Methodist Church.
Bob was a member of the Lake Forest Police Department for 32 years until his retirement as a Commander in 2001. He enjoyed his work and his colleagues and earned the respect of everyone who met him.
In 2002, Bob built a new home on Lake Cecilia and moved to Baldwin, Michigan. While in Baldwin, Bob was the Lake Township Clerk from the year 2008 until he passed in February. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and the friends he made in the community.
Bob's greatest joy was being with his family. He treasured the time he had with his five grandchildren. From reading stories to them in his favorite chair to riding his grandchildren around on his tractor, Bob found great happiness in watching his grandchildren play and grow.
Everyone who knew Bob appreciated his great sense of humor and kindness. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to everyone he met. He enjoyed reading books, playing cribbage, watching John Wayne movies, spoiling his pets, traveling, wearing fun shirts, and spending time around the campfire with his family. He always enjoyed sitting on the porch and watching the birds or the sunset on the lake. He was an excellent cook, and he liked to try unique and interesting foods. No matter where he was or who he was with, Bob had a way of making everyone feel special.
Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruthie; his parents, Wallace Reidel and Amelia (Celba) Reidel; and his sister, Mary Louise Shipley.
Bob is survived by his children, Rachele Reidel (Colleen Chapoton), Emily Africano, Carissa Reidel, and Jacob (Laura) Reidel his grandchildren, Zachary and Henry Reidel, Cola Africano, and Peter and Ruthie Chapoton-Reidel. He leaves his brothers, Wallace and Ray (Connie Reidel, sisters-in laws Anna, Ella, and Laraine, his many Nephews and nieces, and many friends.
Bob will have a visitation at the Lake Township Hall in Lake Township or Saturday, February 21st, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will also be burial service at the Fort Sheridan National Cemetery in Lake Forest, Illinois at later date this summer.
Any memorial contributions should be mad to the Bread of Life Food Pantry in Baldwin, Michigan or the Lake Forest Police Foundation.