Obituary for Robert Joseph Philabaum

Robert Joseph Philabaum passed away at his home in Chicago, Illinois, on October 12, 2014. Robert was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, on September 18, 1968. Robert is survived by his parents, George R. Philabaum, Jr., and Patricia L. Long, his sisters, Melissa L. (Michael) Nelson, Tamara L. (Edward) Davis, and Kathryn A. (Christopher) Noblit, six nieces, Cecilia Nelson, Margaret Nelson, Grace Nelson, Ashley Noblit, Haley Noblit, and Finley Noblit, and five nephews, Joseph Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Taylor Noblit, Dalton Noblit, and Cooper Noblit, several paternal and maternal aunts and uncles, cousins, and a special friend JoAnn. He is preceded in death by paternal grandparents, George and Claire Philabaum, and maternal grandparents, Joseph and Madeline Letzelter.

Robert graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 1986. After a brief enrollment in the United States Navy, he then attended and graduated from West Liberty University in 1997 with Bachelor’s degrees in History and Sociology. Upon receiving his college degrees, Robert moved to Chicago. He practiced as a stock trader and an IT specialist developing software for trade companies, and recently was certified as a cosmetic technician.

Robert served on the board of the Chicago Chapter for The Foundation for Fighting Blindness, participating in their fund raising events and reading for several, including a good friend for the past fifteen years until a week before his passing. In addition, he was an advocate for the homeless in his neighborhood by providing food and support for their emotional and physical well being. Robert was a private and selfless man who rarely spoke about his charitable acts, many unknown until after his passing. He was a man who acted, and did not believe praise for his actions were warranted, as that is how he believed all should live.