Name: Visitation for ROBERT D. "BOB" TUNNICLIFF
Start: 2014-11-24T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2014-11-25T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, LTD.

LIBERTYVILLE - Robert D. "Bob" Tunnicliff, 90, passed away on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at Advocate Condell Medical Center. He was born May 1, 1924 in Burwell, Nebraska and was a gifted athlete and graduate of Kewanee, IL High School. He was also a graduate of Northwestern University and received his Master's degree from the University of Colorado. Following high school graduation, Bob enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. The destroyer that he served on was the USS Lansdowne and he was proud that his ship was selected to carry the Japanese emissaries to sign the peace treaty at the end of the war. Bob moved to Libertyville in 1954 to become the head varsity football coach and the school's first athletic director. He retired in 1986 after serving the school for 32 years. He was a member of St. Lawrence Episcopal Church in Libertyville and remained a Northwestern Wildcat and Libertyville Wildcat fan the rest of his life. Surviving are his children, Tom (Mary) Tunnicliff and Amy (Steve) Ratican, both of Libertyville; 4 grandchildren, Jack (fiancee April) and Kate Tunnicliff and Kristi and Erin Ratican; his brother Ed (Sheila) Tunnicliff of Mountain Home, AR. He was preceded in death by his wife Bette in 1992, by his parents, A.W. and Mabel Tunnicliff, sister Ethel Jean and brothers, Bill, Jack and Don. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 at the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home Ltd., 120 W. Park Ave. (Route 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 25 at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 W. Church St. Libertyville. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 W. Montana St., Chicago, IL 60614 would be appreciated. Info, 847-362-3009 or please sign the guest book at www.burnettdane.com.

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Published by Daily Herald from Nov. 23 to Nov. 24, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT TUNNICLIFF

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9 Entries

Cindy (Merlock Kojder) Volk

November 30, 2014

Tom and Amy, Deepest sympathies to you and your families on the passing of your father. I have great memories of your Dad and you all when we lived on Lincoln Ave. growing up. Thoughts and prayers are with you, and may God bless you and your family at this sad time.

William Whitmore

November 28, 2014

Our loss, heavens gain - God rest his soul. My condolences to Tom & Amy.

It looks like the Kewanee gang is reforming in heaven for eternity.

My memories of Coach Tunnicliff are long and strong. I can still see the pictures on my parents basement wall of him on the sidelines in white short sleeves coaching the LHS Wildcats football team in the 1960's. I remember seeing him with his crew cut and black coaching shoes walking down the hall at LHS back to the AD office. Then there was the time he calmly told us we couldn't play pickup basketball in the field house because we didn't have supervision. At the time I was upset & didn't understand why but took the time to explain the risks & because of my respect for him I let it go. There were the FCA meetings he encourages us to attend. What difference that made after my Dad died. He was from the greatest generation that was honorable, polite, disciplined, determined and sacrificial in all they did. I just know a few of the great men he coached and taught that influenced my life like Bill Debruler & Max Sanders. I even had Coach Tunnicliff for PE class one semester, it was the best PE class I had, we lined up for roll call and learned about different sports. He was always the professional - doing it the RIGHT WAY. His laugh, his stories about Kewanee, what great memories. He was such fine husband to the ever sweet Mrs. Tunnicliff, a good Dad raising great kids. I still remember hearing "TNT" for the first time at a LHS HS track meet when of course Tommy was some where throwing up then going out and winning the 100 and 200yd dash.

What great memories- thank you Coach Tunnicliff for being a strong and fine example for young men like myself and dedicating your life to giving us the wonderful opportunities in education, athletics and in faith at Libertyville High School, Home of the Wildcats. RIP

Bill Whitmore
440-773-5517 mobile

November 24, 2014

Tom and Amy. I have so many fond memories of your Dad and your family as your were growing up. My sincere sympathy to you on your loss. Bev Merlock Kojder

George Huxhold

November 24, 2014

I will never forget you. You taught me how to play the game (of life) by the rules and win.

Doug Callison

November 24, 2014

My condolences to the family. Thank you Bob for all you did for LHS.

david Duff

November 24, 2014

Prayers and thoughts for a good soul, mentor, and family friend. So many good memories of Coach Tunnicliff and his family. Thankful for the time he was amongst us, thankful and blessed for the impact he had on so many lives, mine included

Kim Harris

November 24, 2014

Tom and Amy I send my deepest condolences to you and your families on the passing of your father. What a great Football Coach and Athletic Director he was at LHS. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Kim Kovac Harris and family

Denise Zwit

November 24, 2014

Amy, Steve, Kristi and Erin,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad and difficult time. Amy, your dad will always be remembered as a Wildcat - first at Northwestern and of course, at LHS.
Denise (Levasseur) Zwit and family

November 24, 2014

Condolences to the family. I knew Mr. Tunicliff, but knew most his son, Tom, who struggled with me at times as my camp counselor at Adler Park Day Camp back in the early 70's. Thanks, Tom, for your patience with me, and my heart goes out to you and your family in this time of sorrow. - Dave Grange - Mesa, AZ

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