Celebrating the Life of Robert Lee Douglass, Jr. TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018 VISITATION: 10:00 AM FUNERAL MASS: 11:00 AM The Church of St. Edmund, King & Martyr 6105 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois The Reverend D. Maria Neighbors, Officiant
Obituary Robert Lee Douglass, Jr. was born on February 26, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, the eldest of two and the only son born to the union of Dr. Robert Lee and Henrietta Johnson Douglass. His sister, Marion preceded him in death in 2011. Robert (Bob) was the quintessential example of the type of individual Tom Brokaw described in his book, The Greatest Generation, in that he fought not for fame or recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. His life was shaped by firsthand experiences that were rarely discussed: the Great Depression, active duty in WWII and the institutional racism of the fifties and sixties. Bob s life was fueled by an unwavering desire to provide the best possible life for his children. This commitment stayed with him his entire life, believing that supporting his children was an instinctive and vital part of being a father. He regarded his responsibilities as a lifelong obligation that he fulfilled readily, often proactively asking, Do you need anything?, quickly followed by, I m just doing my job; I m glad to help. Bob graduated from Burke Elementary and Englewood High School in Chicago, Illinois, and went on to graduate from Wilson Junior City College soon after. His formal education was interrupted when he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army, the historic 92nd Infantry Division, and was recognized as one of the Buffalo Soldiers. Initially he served as a member of the reserve corps, moving (with his unit) from Ohio to Iowa and ultimately performing maneuvers in Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, he was deployed to Italy, where he fought, boots on the ground, until the war ended in 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Bob resumed his formal education upon his return from the war, graduating from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree and attending the Graduate School of Social Work. This academic training was an essential portion of his life profession, as Bob was originally a case worker for the Cook County Department of Welfare. Bob soon became dissatisfied with social work, due to what he described as a lack of initiative in some of the recipients. He moved on to the Social Security Administration, specifically the Supplemental Security Income Division, where he ultimately became the director of the Chicago region, overseeing five offices: one in Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana, and two in Chicago. Bob retired from his professional career in 1981, allowing him ample time to travel, attend concerts and frequent plays, in an effort to balance out his life with things he loved to do.
The horrors Bob witnessed in the war impacted his faith journey, however he remained a member of the St. Edmund s Episcopal Church, following in the tradition of his father and sister, and where he served as an acolyte as a teenager. It was at St. Edmund s that he met and married his life partner, Evelyn Joseph, who preceded him in death in 1994. They married at St. Edmund s on January 21, 1950 and together raised four children who were all confirmed at St. Edmund s and were members as adults. Bob was an extremely hard worker, providing for his family in such a way that not only allowed his wife the opportunity to be a full-time homemaker, but also to send all four children to college. He was immensely proud of his children, counting one of his biggest accomplishments being that all of them grew up to be successful in their respective careers, to find loving and caring romantic partners, and to remain close as siblings, even as time passed by. Bob identified his own father as being one the biggest influencers in his life, holding him to a very high standard. Bob s children remember being held to a similarly high standard, with regards to grades, using appropriate grammar and behavior. In keeping with his personality, these standards were communicated in respectful tones, rarely leaving the recipient of his counsel judged, shamed or demeaned. Robert was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and was thought to be one of the oldest living Alphas in the Chicago area. For a number of years during his retirement, Robert was also a member of the Jolly Boys, a social poker club, where he assumed the role of treasurer. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow poker players. Bob was a man of few words, self-described as even tempered. Admittedly, the only thing that would frustrate him was being in a situation where it was apparent that some sort of action needed to take place, and rather than do the right thing without being asked, people would wait to be directly asked to help. Robert will be remembered by those that knew and loved him as rock solid, as a man who did what a man/husband/father was supposed to do, with no fanfare and expecting no accolades. Bob will be remembered as being one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation. Robert L Douglass, Jr leaves to mourn in his passing his three daughters, Ellen Elizabeth, Robyn Diane, Phyllis Hayes (Michael) and his only son, Robert J Douglass (Karen). He also leaves his grandchildren, Rosalyn C Douglass and Daniel J Hayes, cousins Kathleen Powell and Carolyn Bowles and family, and a host of fervent admirers.
The Prelude The Burial Office and Eucharist Jesu, Joy of Man s Desiring The Book Of Common Prayer An Order for Burial The Burial Opening Sentences Page 491 A Prayer for the Deceased Page 493 Opening Hymn Joyful, Joyful Page 376 The Old Testament Lesson Lamentations 3:22-26; 31-33 The New Testament Lesson I John 3:1-2 Psalm 27: 1-5; 13-14 Solo Tribute The Homily Mr. Jeffrey Burish Grandchildren: Rosalyn C Douglass; Daniel J. Hayes The Reverend Michael G. Hayes The Apostles Creed Page 496 The Prayers for the Deceased The Reverend D. Maria Neighbors The Prayers of the People Page 497 The Peace Page 360 Eucharistic Prayer B Page 367 The Communion The Communion Solo Mr. Jeffrey Burish The Commendation Page 499 The Committal Page 501 * The Hymn It is Well No. 188 Benediction * Indicates the hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing INTERMENT LINCOLN CEMETERY 12300 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60655 The Lord Bless You and Keep You
The Participants The Reverend D. Maria Neighbors, Officiant Ellen E. Douglass, Lector Phyllis D. Hayes, Lector Robert J. Douglass, Lector Robyn Douglass, Oblation Bearer Kathleen Powell, Oblation Bearer Mr. Richard Evans, Organist Mr. Jeffrey Burish, Soloist Pallbearers Eugene A. Bowles Robert J. Douglass Michael G. Hayes Melvin L. Carter Daniel J. Hayes Donald Roland Honorary Pallbearers William Gathing Paul Hasgill Tyler Roland Edwin Hasgill Brian Roland David Yancey Acknowledgements To our many friends, our hearts are full of love and gratitude to all of you for the many comforting messages of sympathy and your acts of kindness and concern during our bereavement. Unity Funeral Parlors, Inc. 4114 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60653 (773) 624-2703 Norman J. Williams President Funeral Director Brenda L. Thacker Funeral Director