Robert William Hadley

Robert W. Hadley
January 16, 1930 - September 11, 2021


Robert W. Hadley, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, September 11, 2021. He was surrounded by his loved ones as he took his last breaths.

Born in Geneva, Illinois and raised in Wheaton, Illinois, Bob was the middle child of Phillip and Elma Hadley. He grew up flanked by his two older sisters, Phyllis and Marjorie, and his two younger brothers, Gordon and Chuck, who all affectionately called him Bobby.

Shortly after graduating from Wheaton Community High School Bob entered the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet Pilot, flying T-6 Texan airplanes which fueled his lifelong passion for all things aviation. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he joined the Army where he served in Germany during the Korean War. A true patriot, Bob was a life-long member of the American Legion Post 76 in Carol Stream, Illinois.

Bob attended Purdue University graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He put that degree to work in the Public Works Departments for county government in both DuPage County, Illinois and Orange County, Florida, a career that spanned over 40 years.

While attending Purdue University, Bob met and married Hazel McQueen Hadley (deceased 1963), his first love and mother of his two eldest children, Linda and Mark. He subsequently met and married Linda Purdy Hadley (deceased 1997), the mother of his two youngest daughters, Amy and Jennifer, and bonus daughter Andrea.

Shortly after moving to Orlando, Florida in the early 1980's, Bob met his love and life partner, wife Monika Phaneuf Hadley. The two would become inseparable and spend the next 40 years together traveling and enjoying the close company of family and friends. Together they set and met a goal to visit all 50 of our United States and visited many international destinations as well. Bob enjoyed landscape photography capturing thousands of images of beautiful landscapes throughout their travels which he loved to share with others.

Bob's love of sports began as a child watching Red Grange, the local football star, play for the Chicago Bears. He played football and basketball at Wheaton Community High School and continued to enjoy watching football and other sporting events later in life with his beloved Purdue Boilermakers, the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks. You'd often find him relaxing in his recliner enjoying a golf tournament or a NASCAR race on television.

It was also typical to find him at home, sitting at the kitchen counter, bare feet dangling from his barstool, drinking coffee (or a screwdriver), reading the newspaper and doing the daily crossword puzzle. Working on a good jigsaw puzzle with the family was another favorite pastime of Bob's, always insisting on finding the corners and edge pieces first.

Bob was well known in his community and served on the Board of Directors of the Candlewyck Homeowners Association. For 40 years he volunteered countless hours working with the Board to maintain and improve the beauty, integrity, and value of the property.

Bob is affectionately known for his vast beer stein collection; the Christmas Village he and Monika spent countless hours collecting, constructing, and displaying in their home; his incomparable meatloaf and beer cheese dip. He loved to tell stories and was a subtle prankster with a mischievous wink. He loved to surprise and delight people by dressing up as Spiderman, his look-alike son Mark, or a monk just for fun. He was easy going, soft-spoken, but stubborn as a mule. He was kind, giving, and as honest as they come. He was a generous tipper, a hold-the-door-open-for-you kind of guy. He lived a life of integrity and quiet dignity.

A proud and supportive father and Papa, Bob was a solid rock and constant presence for his kids and grandkids. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on at a band performance, a football game or wrestling match, a baton or cheer competition, an award ceremony, and the list goes on.

As friends and family were the top priority for Bob, he maintained life-long friendships from his early childhood. A true and loyal friend and family member, he would travel far and wide to celebrate a loved one's wedding, birthday, or graduation, and enjoyed attending his own high school and "Old Timers" reunions year after year. "Uncle Bob" adored and was a favorite of his many nieces and nephews spread across the country.

Bob touched the lives of so many with his kindness, humor, and generosity, always offering a helping hand to those in need. He will be missed dearly by all who were blessed to know and love him.

Bob leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Monika Hadley; his children Linda (Tony) Stewart, Amy (Bob) Hadley-Klein, Jennifer Hadley Hughes; his bonus children Andrea Haidu, Jason Smith, Christina Hoffman; his grandchildren Matthew Stewart, Jacob Hughes, Hayden Hughes, Delaney Hughes, Courtney (Christopher) Wolfe; his great grandchildren Tristan and Elliot Wolfe; and many dear nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his first love and wife, Hazel McQueen Hadley, his beloved son, Mark Hadley, his parents and his siblings.

A Memorial Service with Military Honors and a Celebration of Life will be held in Wheaton, Illinois at a date yet to be determined.