Robert "Bob" Adams

Robert “Bob” Adams was born in Chicago on Christmas Eve of 1940, the long-awaited first child of Donald Adams (originally of New York, NY) and Edna Margaret May Adams (originally of Montreal, Canada). Bob is survived by his two children, Rob Adams of Hickman, KY (and partner Jerri Dunn) and Margy Sweeney of Evanston, IL (and partner Jeff Tack); his brother Ed Adams (and partner Marna Louie) and his two grandchildren, Maddie Sweeney and Morgan Sweeney (and husband Conah Targett-Jones) of Evanston. He will also be fondly remembered by his long-term partner Opal Jost and his caregiver, Elaine Goodrich.   

Bob grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and earned a business degree from Parson’s College in Iowa. He then joined the Navy in the early 1960’s and served as a pilot and flight instructor, flying helicopters from aircraft carriers and teaching other pilots during the Vietnam War. He loved flying, traveling, golf, supporting his children’s sporting activities, coaching youth soccer and playing cards, particularly the game of bridge. In the 1970’s, Bob and his family, including ex-wife Mary Adams (deceased) and children, lived in eight different states, following his work in the Navy and in sales, ultimately settling in Elkhart and then South Bend, Indiana, where he lived for more than four decades.

Bob will be remembered for his intellect, love of games, and wry, generous sense of humor.

A hybrid in-person and virtual memorial service is being planned for 3:00pm Saturday, December 20, 2025 and will take place via zoom and at the Saint Joseph Funeral Home in South Bend, Indiana. To request information about the service and obtain access to the zoom link, please email his daughter Margy Sweeney at margysweeney@gmail.com.  

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