Robert J. Voss Obituary

Sterling, Ill. --- Robert J. Foss, 77, of Sterling, died Friday, January 6, 2017 at Sterling Pavilion following a battle with cancer.

Robert was born on October 20, 1939 in San Francisco, Calif. the son of Frank and Josephine (Mafort) Foss. He married Susan Elaine Unterzuber on December 25, 1977 at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina.

He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco, Calif. where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for football. Robert and Susan met at Camp Darby, Livorno, Italy. He was an instructor of navigation at the Italian Naval Academy. After 26 years of Naval service he retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer from Honolulu, Hawaii in February 1986.

He and Susan returned to his hometown of San Francisco where he went back to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University in January 1990. Robert was an avid San Francisco 49ers and Giants fan. He enjoyed shooting skeet, gardening for which he became a Master Gardener. He received a Mentor of the Year Award from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization for the tri city area of Virginia.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the Sterling American Legion Post 296. Robert was known as a hard worker and a caring man who always left you with a smile.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Susan, of Sterling; his son, Michael (Anne) Foss, of Luthersville, Md.; his daughter, Deborah Croft, of Edmond, Okla.; his grandchildren, Ryan (Alexandria) Croft, of Chicago, Ill., Cayla Croft, of Los Angles, Calif., Cathy Foss, of Luthersville, Md., a sister in law, Karen (Larry) Mewhirter, of Rock Falls, Ill.; a sister in law, Gail Keefer, of Rock Falls, Ill.; a sister in law, Annette Halliday, of Sterling, Ill.; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Jared Mewhirter, of Rock Falls; and his mother in law Marilyn Unterzuber of Rock Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step father Herbert Canton, his two half brothers, Harold and Eugene Foss all of San Francisco.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, January 9, 2017 at McDonald Funeral Home, 505 1st Avenue, in Sterling. The funeral will be at 10 am on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the funeral home with Pastor Robert Clardie, officiating. Burial will be at oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling with full military honors provided by Sterling American Legion Post 296. To send condolences visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com