Robert Lee Rummel was called home by his Lord and Savior on May 21, 2026. He was surrounded by family and passed peacefully into eternity. He was born in Convoy, OH on November 17, 1938, to Chalmer and Myrtle Rummel, the first of their three children.

As a child, he loved playing with his dog Pansy and talked about her often throughout his life. His family moved several times during his childhood, which was hard on him. It was out of one of these moves that he met the love of his life, Karen Young. But he then moved ... again. This time to Madrid, Spain, where he served four years with the US Air Force at Torrejon Air Base. He was an airplane mechanic and worked on some of the most advanced aircraft of his day. Some, such as the C130, are still flying for the Air Force today. It was here that he learned he could fix just about anything, a skill that his future family would come to appreciate and rely upon.

Once he returned from Spain, he quickly proposed marriage to Karen and they were married on October 2, 1965. A family soon followed that saw four children: Bob, Doug, Sue and Brian. Robert was a loving, caring husband and father who had a strong desire to build a stable home for his family.

Robert enjoyed many hobbies including singing in the church choir, playing trumpet, gardening, woodworking, cars and motorcycles, outdoor activities and anything involving the use of tools. Each of his kids picked up several of his hobbies, which speaks to the time he spent with his family and the influence he had on their lives.

Not only were our personal lives shaped by his influence, but our spiritual lives as well. His commitment to Christ was always the foundation of his life from which everything else grew. A verse that summarizes his life is: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on this day." (2 Timothy 4: 7-8)

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Chalmer and Myrtle Rummel, his sister Norma MacKay and his grandson Wesley Beitler. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years Karen Rummel; his children: Bob Rummel, Doug (Deanna) Rummel, Sue (Nathan) Beitler, and Brian Rummel; grandchildren: Brooke Rummel, Cody Rummel, Kayla Beitler, Kyle Beitler, Karlie Rummel and Nina Rummel; brother Wayne Rummel.

Memorial gifts can be given to one of his favorite charities - Samaritan's Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org

The Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a Funeral Service at 6:00 PM at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. To watch the livestream of the service please click here. The Burial will be at Wheaton Cemetery.