Robert Otto Zerbs, 74, a former Hinsdale resident, passed away April 4, 2023, after a long battle with colon cancer. He showed amazing courage and strength throughout his last four years of life.
He was born in 1948 in Chicago to Otto F. and Ethel L. Zerbs. Bob graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in 1967.
Bob continued his education at the College of DuPage and then Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where he graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in design. After college, he worked for Westinghouse Corp. and McDonald’s Corp. in Oak Brook. Bob went on to be self-employed, doing residential design/remodeling.
Bob volunteered at the DuPage County Forest Preserve and was a 30-year member of the Nature Conservancy. He enjoyed the outdoors through the hobbies of jogging, bicycling, hunting and hiking. He was known for his gardening talents and enjoyed sharing home-grown tomatoes and vegetables with neighbors and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Ethel Zerbs.
He is survived by his three siblings, Janet (William) Morgan, Ronald (Sue Anderson) Zerbs and Joan (Peter) Kinchla.
A private family gathering to celebrate Bob’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Nature Conservancy, Attn .: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or online at http://www.nature.org/donate.
Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home in Downers Grove handled the arrangements.
