Robert J. Bartel, age 86, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
He was born November 10, 1931 in Chengteh, Hunan, China, to Paul H. and Ina K. (Birkey) Bartel, both second generation missionaries. Most of his secondary education was in China and he graduated from high school in Hong Kong. Bob returned to the United States and earned a BA in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) in 1953, where he met Shirley Danenhour, whom he married on August 21, 1953. He went on to complete graduate studies in International Economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1955.
Bob began his career in the Foreign Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at an international affiliate of Exxon-Mobil in the Treasury Department. Bob left industry and returned to his alma mater, Wheaton College (IL), in 1970 and taught in the Economics and Business Department, as well as serving as the chair for several years. At Wheaton, Bob founded a semester overseas study program called the International Study Program (ISP) based in Western and Eastern Europe. This semester abroad program combined his passions for travel, teaching international economics, and mentoring students. From 1980-1984, Bob served as an associate professor and department chair at Westmont College (CA). His final teaching post for 17 years, was an appointment to the Robert Maclellan endowed chair of Economics and Business at King College, a Presbyterian liberal arts college in Bristol, TN. During that time, he was the Managing Director of the International Business Institute (IBI), an overseas academic program in international business, which he founded and managed for several decades until 2005. The program is now based with Messiah College in Grantham PA. Through IBI, Bob found delight in connecting students with leaders in business and government and guest lecturers included a senior policy advisor for the British Prime Minister, a Labor Party Parliament member, and a Nobel Prize laureate for economics. Each summer, the group would travel in at least 9 countries and have first-hand exposure to numerous international businesses such as Unilever, Nestle, and Mercedes Benz.
While based in Virginia, Bob served as the Chairman of the Board of Charter Federal Savings Bank and boards of several investment corporations. He was an invited participant to the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, for five years and was named a Fellow of the WEF. He was also an invited participant to the World Economic Forum sessions in Moscow in 1991-1992.
His lifelong partner, Shirley was by his side through all of these stages of life. She served as his perfect counterpart in planning the logistics and details of the summer study programs. When interviewed, Bob said that he "could not have done anything he's done without her advice, counsel and occasional correction.” A friend described them as "a finely tuned, balanced, machine of energy, innovation and hospitality.” Together they took grandchildren traveling as "cousin teams" from California to Europe, to create memories and bonds not only between generations but between cousins, as well. Their house was one of great hospitality where Sunday dinners were shared, shepherding groups were cherished, and no one left hungry, in body or soul.
Bob will be remembered as a collector of friends, an encourager, a passionate mentor, a voracious reader, a story teller, and a person with a lifelong love of learning. He inspired many to discover the works of C.S. Lewis, Frederick Buechner, and many others as he opened his classes with readings from gifted Christian authors. The phrase used often by former students is, "He changed the course of my life."
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Danenhour) Bartel; three children, Steve Bartel, Sarah (Mark) Bradley and Tim (Mia) Bartel; 9 grandchildren, Kevin (Meghan) Bartel, Drew (Becca) Bartel, Haley Bartel, Kate (Eric) Schlickman, Kyle (Dariana) Bradley, Caroline (Kirk) Sundberg, Chris Bradley, Daniel Bartel and Isabela Bartel; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Joan (Jim) Stough, brother-in-law, Bob Ohman, Melodee (Sweemer) Bartel and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents: his infant sister, LaVonne Mae (1933) and his sister, Carol Anne Ohman (July 2018).
A Celebration of his life will be held on November 10, 2018 at 2:00pm, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, IL 60555.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts, if desired, may be directed to two ministries that Bob held dear, due to the career involvement of his grandsons: GO Ministries, Inc. (KYLE BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 11501 Plantside Drive, Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299 (Put memorial info in comment box); and Young Life San Luis Obispo County - CA487, (CHRIS BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 954 Tarragon Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Select Number CA487).
Hultgren Funeral Home Website
He was born November 10, 1931 in Chengteh, Hunan, China, to Paul H. and Ina K. (Birkey) Bartel, both second generation missionaries. Most of his secondary education was in China and he graduated from high school in Hong Kong. Bob returned to the United States and earned a BA in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) in 1953, where he met Shirley Danenhour, whom he married on August 21, 1953. He went on to complete graduate studies in International Economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1955.
Bob began his career in the Foreign Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at an international affiliate of Exxon-Mobil in the Treasury Department. Bob left industry and returned to his alma mater, Wheaton College (IL), in 1970 and taught in the Economics and Business Department, as well as serving as the chair for several years. At Wheaton, Bob founded a semester overseas study program called the International Study Program (ISP) based in Western and Eastern Europe. This semester abroad program combined his passions for travel, teaching international economics, and mentoring students. From 1980-1984, Bob served as an associate professor and department chair at Westmont College (CA). His final teaching post for 17 years, was an appointment to the Robert Maclellan endowed chair of Economics and Business at King College, a Presbyterian liberal arts college in Bristol, TN. During that time, he was the Managing Director of the International Business Institute (IBI), an overseas academic program in international business, which he founded and managed for several decades until 2005. The program is now based with Messiah College in Grantham PA. Through IBI, Bob found delight in connecting students with leaders in business and government and guest lecturers included a senior policy advisor for the British Prime Minister, a Labor Party Parliament member, and a Nobel Prize laureate for economics. Each summer, the group would travel in at least 9 countries and have first-hand exposure to numerous international businesses such as Unilever, Nestle, and Mercedes Benz.
While based in Virginia, Bob served as the Chairman of the Board of Charter Federal Savings Bank and boards of several investment corporations. He was an invited participant to the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, for five years and was named a Fellow of the WEF. He was also an invited participant to the World Economic Forum sessions in Moscow in 1991-1992.
His lifelong partner, Shirley was by his side through all of these stages of life. She served as his perfect counterpart in planning the logistics and details of the summer study programs. When interviewed, Bob said that he "could not have done anything he's done without her advice, counsel and occasional correction.” A friend described them as "a finely tuned, balanced, machine of energy, innovation and hospitality.” Together they took grandchildren traveling as "cousin teams" from California to Europe, to create memories and bonds not only between generations but between cousins, as well. Their house was one of great hospitality where Sunday dinners were shared, shepherding groups were cherished, and no one left hungry, in body or soul.
Bob will be remembered as a collector of friends, an encourager, a passionate mentor, a voracious reader, a story teller, and a person with a lifelong love of learning. He inspired many to discover the works of C.S. Lewis, Frederick Buechner, and many others as he opened his classes with readings from gifted Christian authors. The phrase used often by former students is, "He changed the course of my life."
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Danenhour) Bartel; three children, Steve Bartel, Sarah (Mark) Bradley and Tim (Mia) Bartel; 9 grandchildren, Kevin (Meghan) Bartel, Drew (Becca) Bartel, Haley Bartel, Kate (Eric) Schlickman, Kyle (Dariana) Bradley, Caroline (Kirk) Sundberg, Chris Bradley, Daniel Bartel and Isabela Bartel; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Joan (Jim) Stough, brother-in-law, Bob Ohman, Melodee (Sweemer) Bartel and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents: his infant sister, LaVonne Mae (1933) and his sister, Carol Anne Ohman (July 2018).
A Celebration of his life will be held on November 10, 2018 at 2:00pm, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, IL 60555.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts, if desired, may be directed to two ministries that Bob held dear, due to the career involvement of his grandsons: GO Ministries, Inc. (KYLE BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 11501 Plantside Drive, Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299 (Put memorial info in comment box); and Young Life San Luis Obispo County - CA487, (CHRIS BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 954 Tarragon Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Select Number CA487).
Hultgren Funeral Home Website
Robert J. Bartel, age 86, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2018.
He was born November 10, 1931 in Chengteh, Hunan, China, to Paul H. and Ina K. (Birkey) Bartel, both second generation missionaries. Most of his secondary education was in China and he graduated from high school in Hong Kong. Bob returned to the United States and earned a BA in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) in 1953, where he met Shirley Danenhour, whom he married on August 21, 1953. He went on to complete graduate studies in International Economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1955.
Bob began his career in the Foreign Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at an international affiliate of Exxon-Mobil in the Treasury Department. Bob left industry and returned to his alma mater, Wheaton College (IL), in 1970 and taught in the Economics and Business Department, as well as serving as the chair for several years. At Wheaton, Bob founded a semester overseas study program called the International Study Program (ISP) based in Western and Eastern Europe. This semester abroad program combined his passions for travel, teaching international economics, and mentoring students. From 1980-1984, Bob served as an associate professor and department chair at Westmont College (CA). His final teaching post for 17 years, was an appointment to the Robert Maclellan endowed chair of Economics and Business at King College, a Presbyterian liberal arts college in Bristol, TN. During that time, he was the Managing Director of the International Business Institute (IBI), an overseas academic program in international business, which he founded and managed for several decades until 2005. The program is now based with Messiah College in Grantham PA. Through IBI, Bob found delight in connecting students with leaders in business and government and guest lecturers included a senior policy advisor for the British Prime Minister, a Labor Party Parliament member, and a Nobel Prize laureate for economics. Each summer, the group would travel in at least 9 countries and have first-hand exposure to numerous international businesses such as Unilever, Nestle, and Mercedes Benz.
While based in Virginia, Bob served as the Chairman of the Board of Charter Federal Savings Bank and boards of several investment corporations. He was an invited participant to the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, for five years and was named a Fellow of the WEF. He was also an invited participant to the World Economic Forum sessions in Moscow in 1991-1992.
His lifelong partner, Shirley was by his side through all of these stages of life. She served as his perfect counterpart in planning the logistics and details of the summer study programs. When interviewed, Bob said that he "could not have done anything he's done without her advice, counsel and occasional correction.” A friend described them as "a finely tuned, balanced, machine of energy, innovation and hospitality.” Together they took grandchildren traveling as "cousin teams" from California to Europe, to create memories and bonds not only between generations but between cousins, as well. Their house was one of great hospitality where Sunday dinners were shared, shepherding groups were cherished, and no one left hungry, in body or soul.
Bob will be remembered as a collector of friends, an encourager, a passionate mentor, a voracious reader, a story teller, and a person with a lifelong love of learning. He inspired many to discover the works of C.S. Lewis, Frederick Buechner, and many others as he opened his classes with readings from gifted Christian authors. The phrase used often by former students is, "He changed the course of my life."
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Danenhour) Bartel; three children, Steve Bartel, Sarah (Mark) Bradley and Tim (Mia) Bartel; 9 grandchildren, Kevin (Meghan) Bartel, Drew (Becca) Bartel, Haley Bartel, Kate (Eric) Schlickman, Kyle (Dariana) Bradley, Caroline (Kirk) Sundberg, Chris Bradley, Daniel Bartel and Isabela Bartel; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Joan (Jim) Stough, brother-in-law, Bob Ohman, Melodee (Sweemer) Bartel and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents: his infant sister, LaVonne Mae (1933) and his sister, Carol Anne Ohman (July 2018).
A Celebration of his life will be held on November 10, 2018 at 2:00pm, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, IL 60555.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts, if desired, may be directed to two ministries that Bob held dear, due to the career involvement of his grandsons: GO Ministries, Inc. (KYLE BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 11501 Plantside Drive, Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299 (Put memorial info in comment box); and Young Life San Luis Obispo County - CA487, (CHRIS BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 954 Tarragon Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Select Number CA487).
Hultgren Funeral Home Website
He was born November 10, 1931 in Chengteh, Hunan, China, to Paul H. and Ina K. (Birkey) Bartel, both second generation missionaries. Most of his secondary education was in China and he graduated from high school in Hong Kong. Bob returned to the United States and earned a BA in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) in 1953, where he met Shirley Danenhour, whom he married on August 21, 1953. He went on to complete graduate studies in International Economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in 1955.
Bob began his career in the Foreign Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at an international affiliate of Exxon-Mobil in the Treasury Department. Bob left industry and returned to his alma mater, Wheaton College (IL), in 1970 and taught in the Economics and Business Department, as well as serving as the chair for several years. At Wheaton, Bob founded a semester overseas study program called the International Study Program (ISP) based in Western and Eastern Europe. This semester abroad program combined his passions for travel, teaching international economics, and mentoring students. From 1980-1984, Bob served as an associate professor and department chair at Westmont College (CA). His final teaching post for 17 years, was an appointment to the Robert Maclellan endowed chair of Economics and Business at King College, a Presbyterian liberal arts college in Bristol, TN. During that time, he was the Managing Director of the International Business Institute (IBI), an overseas academic program in international business, which he founded and managed for several decades until 2005. The program is now based with Messiah College in Grantham PA. Through IBI, Bob found delight in connecting students with leaders in business and government and guest lecturers included a senior policy advisor for the British Prime Minister, a Labor Party Parliament member, and a Nobel Prize laureate for economics. Each summer, the group would travel in at least 9 countries and have first-hand exposure to numerous international businesses such as Unilever, Nestle, and Mercedes Benz.
While based in Virginia, Bob served as the Chairman of the Board of Charter Federal Savings Bank and boards of several investment corporations. He was an invited participant to the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, for five years and was named a Fellow of the WEF. He was also an invited participant to the World Economic Forum sessions in Moscow in 1991-1992.
His lifelong partner, Shirley was by his side through all of these stages of life. She served as his perfect counterpart in planning the logistics and details of the summer study programs. When interviewed, Bob said that he "could not have done anything he's done without her advice, counsel and occasional correction.” A friend described them as "a finely tuned, balanced, machine of energy, innovation and hospitality.” Together they took grandchildren traveling as "cousin teams" from California to Europe, to create memories and bonds not only between generations but between cousins, as well. Their house was one of great hospitality where Sunday dinners were shared, shepherding groups were cherished, and no one left hungry, in body or soul.
Bob will be remembered as a collector of friends, an encourager, a passionate mentor, a voracious reader, a story teller, and a person with a lifelong love of learning. He inspired many to discover the works of C.S. Lewis, Frederick Buechner, and many others as he opened his classes with readings from gifted Christian authors. The phrase used often by former students is, "He changed the course of my life."
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann (Danenhour) Bartel; three children, Steve Bartel, Sarah (Mark) Bradley and Tim (Mia) Bartel; 9 grandchildren, Kevin (Meghan) Bartel, Drew (Becca) Bartel, Haley Bartel, Kate (Eric) Schlickman, Kyle (Dariana) Bradley, Caroline (Kirk) Sundberg, Chris Bradley, Daniel Bartel and Isabela Bartel; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Joan (Jim) Stough, brother-in-law, Bob Ohman, Melodee (Sweemer) Bartel and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents: his infant sister, LaVonne Mae (1933) and his sister, Carol Anne Ohman (July 2018).
A Celebration of his life will be held on November 10, 2018 at 2:00pm, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, IL 60555.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial gifts, if desired, may be directed to two ministries that Bob held dear, due to the career involvement of his grandsons: GO Ministries, Inc. (KYLE BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 11501 Plantside Drive, Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299 (Put memorial info in comment box); and Young Life San Luis Obispo County - CA487, (CHRIS BRADLEY in memory of Bob Bartel) 954 Tarragon Lane, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (Select Number CA487).
Hultgren Funeral Home Website
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