The Honorable Robert A. Cox, age 73, a resident of Winfield, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005. He was born on September 29, 1931 in Chicago to Edward and Rosa Cox. He was raised in Chicago until age 10 when his family moved to Elmwood Park where he graduated from Steinmetz High School. He entered Carthage College in 1951 and transferred to Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he completed his undergraduate degree and attended law school. In February 1958, Bob received his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University.

After law school, Bob worked for State Farm Insurance Company as an adjuster from 1957 to 1959. In 1959, he began his legal career as a sole practitioner and as Bloomingdale Village Attorney. In 1968, he went into practice with Delbert S. Lyle as Cox & Lyle. In 1972, Jack Darrah, now a Federal Judge, joined their practice to form Cox, Lyle & Darrah. On July 1, 1976, Bob was appointed to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County where he served for 16 years until September 30, 1992. During his tenure on the bench, he was responsible for the disposition of thousands of cases, including criminal felonies, misdemeanors and DUIs, divorce litigation and civil suits. He served as Presiding Judge for the Domestic Relations Division for four years and initiated mandatory collection of child support through the Clerk of the Circuit Court two years prior to State requirement and started a mandatory conciliation program in cases involving child custody. Upon his retirement from the bench, he began a private practice specializing in divorce, child custody and mediation.

Bob is a past member of the Illinois Bar Association, member of the DuPage County Bar Association, past member of the Illinois Judges Association, member of Christ Church of Oak Brook, past member and President of the Glen Ellyn Lions Club and former Milton Township Republican Committeeman.

Bob was a member of the Illinois National Guard from 1947 to 1951 and United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1953 to 1957.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, his children, Ruth (Steven) McFarland of Evanston, Julie (George) Michael of Naperville, Robert Jr. (Mary) Cox of Carol Stream, and Brigette Bucholz of Winfield and 3 grandchildren, William and Lauren Michael and Andrew Cox. He is also survived by his siblings, Elizabeth Ingraham, Margaret Roberts, David (Jane) Cox and sister-in-law Nancy Gates Cox.

Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Edward, and his parents.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 15, from 1 until 8 p.m. at the Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church of Oak Brook, York Road and 31st Street in Oak Brook.

Memorials may be directed to the Christ Church of Oak Brook Mission Fund, York Road and 31st Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523 or Palliative Care Center & Hospice of the North Shore, 2821 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1221.