Robert M. Simonelli

Visitation for Robert M. Simonelli, 88, of Palatine, will be on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, with Remembrances at 7:00 PM at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL. The Interment will be private.

Robert was born on May 19, 1937, in Chicago, Il. He passed away on March 31, 2026, at Alexian Brothers Hospice, Elk Grove Village.

Bob was a devoted husband and a welcoming, thoughtful, quick-witted father. Art was his passion, and he was gifted with the ability to create through several mediums such as drafting, sketching and painting. Bob was an industrial designer by trade and owned his own business, Simonelli Design, until he retired in 2016. His love and appreciation for design was evident in his choice of classic mid-century modern furniture, and his art collection which included prints and works by artist friends and famous artists alike. He admired the beautiful designs in cars and enjoyed attending classic car shows. He would specifically search for the 1963 white Porsche coupe, which he owned in his 20s and kept until having kids. The Palette & Chisel in Chicago was a place where he frequented drawing workshops and live model sessions with his friend Lee. The last few years of his life he gave weekly art lessons to his daughter Paula, which included sketching and using pastels.

Bob also loved music, especially jazz and classical. He was a Cubs and Bears fan his whole life and often yelled at the TV, calling them “bums” when they would lose. Like a true Chicago sports fan, he would still watch every game. In earlier years, he traveled with our mom, his sister Flossie and brother-in-law Jerry to Italy, France, Spain and China. Those were great memories for him and mom, and they would fondly recall those trips often. He loved his family and grandkids, spending time at family parties, visiting The Art Institute of Chicago, and taking trips to Door County to see the art shows and fall colors.

We will miss his warm, welcoming hello and hug, hearing his kitchen radio playing classical and jazz, Friday night dinners with cheese and cracker hors d’oeuvres and sharing memories of mom. Most of all we will miss him telling us in his loving way to “scram,” “beat it” or “get outta here, you have families” when he thought we had spent enough time with him. He is so loved and will be deeply missed.

Bob was the beloved husband of the late Maureen T. Simonelli (nee Harnett) for 61 years; loving father of Paula (Ron) Kutz, Julie (Jeff) Fister and Gia (Bob) Anders, cherished grandfather of Nolan (Elizabeth) and Jason Kutz; Alexandra, Emma and Mitchell Fister; and Evan, Kendall and Maren Anders. He is preceded in death by his parents Sante and Diomira Poletti Simonelli and his sisters Florence (Jerry) Saimon and Norma (Norman) Collins.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alexian Brothers Hospice.