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Bob built a life marked by service, dedication, and deep devotion to his family.

Robert “Bob” Usiak, of Carol Stream, Illinois, died on August 29, 2026, in Carol Stream at the age of 95. He was born on June 28, 1931, in Chicago.

Bob built a life marked by service, dedication, and deep devotion to his family. He attended St Hyacinth's grade school in Chicago. He graduated from Carl Schurz High School in 1950 and attended DeVry College, where he earned an associate degree.

In March 1951, he was inducted into the Air Force. He became a radio operation instructor and was shipped to Korea in November 1951. There he was assigned to the 2nd Radio Relay Squadron, 5th Communications Group, a unit known as the Golden Mountain Goat group because of the mile-long mountain incline members traveled each day from the base camp to the radio station. He returned home in 1952 and continued as a radio instructor until his discharge in 1955. In the years that followed, he remained connected to those experiences by attending many of his unit’s reunions, and he was honored to fly to Washington, D.C., as an Honor Flight participant.

Professionally, Bob was a technical writer at Automatic Electric, which later merged with GTE. He also worked for Rockwell International and Verizon. His skill and commitment to his craft earned him many writing awards over the course of his career before his retirement in 1998.

Bob will be remembered as an outgoing man whose warmth and creativity touched those around him. He enjoyed drawing sketches of people, writing and acting in skits, and singing along to the oldies. He was a dedicated husband and family man who faithfully attended his children’s concerts and activities. He and his wife, Marianne, were inseparable throughout their 60 years of marriage.

He was active in Boy Scouting, working with Eagle Scout candidates, and he shared a love of stamp collecting with his sister Shirley. He also enjoyed fishing, even if the “big one” always seemed to get away. In retirement, Bob and Marianne took many cruises and enjoyed traveling together. As Parkinson’s syndrome increasingly affected Marianne, Bob cared for her with steadfast love and devotion.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marianne Bykowski Usiak; by his father, Anthony Usiak, who was both a father and best friend to him; by his mother, Helen Usiak, née Jaworski; and by his sister, Shirley Brucki, and brother-in-law, Daniel Brucki.

Bob is survived by his loving family, who will carry his memory forward with gratitude and affection. He is survived by his sons, Michael Usiak and Thomas Usiak, and by his daughters, Karen Winkler and Carol McNally. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law, Nancy Usiak and Katie Usiak, and by his son-in-law, Greg Winkler. His grandchildren include Dylan Pennington and his fiancé Katie Phillips, Conner Pennington, Colin McNally, Haley McNally, Anthony Usiak, Lauren Usiak and her fiancé, Joseph Zarcone, and Ashtyn McFarlane and her husband, James McFarlane. He is further survived by his great-grandchildren, Quinn Crites and Kacie McFarlane. May the love he gave so freely continue to be reflected in the family he cherished so deeply.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 565 Randy Road, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, 1555 Glen Ellyn Road, Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139. Burial will follow at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, 8600 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois 60714.