Robert L. "Bob" East, age 84, a resident of Wyndemere Retirement Community in Wheaton, died Saturday, January 13, at Wynscape Nursing Center in Wheaton. Mr. East had lived in Wheaton for more than 40 years. He was born March 10, 1922 in Carbondale, IL.

Bob was a pilot in the Army Air Corps during World War II and served in the China-Burma-India theater. After the war he was an educator and had taught at Cloverdale Elementary School in Carol Stream, and then later at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. He married his wife Joanne in 1963. They attended Trinity Episcopal Church. He was the President of Toastmasters, and also served as President of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI DuPage). For 33 years, Bob and Joanne spent summers on a lake in Ontario, Canada where they had built a cabin. He was known for his dry sense of humor. Even late-stage Alzheimer's couldn't dampen his wit.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joanne; his two step-children, Susan Stone, and Steven (Peggy) Stone; his step-grandson, David Stone; his nephew, Dick (Carolyn) Taylor; and two nieces, Sharon (Dean) Stevens, and Vicki (Jim) Smith.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill, and Tom East; and his sister, Doris Taylor.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 11:00 A.M. in the Anderson Auditorium at the Wyndemere Retirement Community, 200 Wyndemere Circle, in Wheaton. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to NAMI DuPage, 1403 N. Main Street, Suite 301, Wheaton, IL 60187; or to the Alzheimer's Association, 4709 Golf Road, Skokie, IL 60076.