My Uncle Bob,I remember him as a person that would always smile and make you feel good. He was always kind to me as a kid and I always looked forward to seeing him when we went to our grandma's house. He made me laugh. He always had something good to say about you. I have a vivid memory of my uncle Bob one day at my house in Chicago he came over to visit. It was a sunny day and the neighborhood kids were out playing in the streets. We were playing wiffle ball using the front steps of our house as a backstop. Uncle Bob came over and started pitching to me. I had a plastic bat which was about 5 inches in diameter. We joked about it calling in my muscle bat. Bob was having fun pitching to me trying to strike me out, throwing his patented wiffle curve ball that he claimed no one could hit. I remember smacking one across the street on a fly. I felt like Mickey Mantle. He continued to pitch to me showing me different ways to hold a ball to pitch different curves, sinkers, knuckle balls and fast balls. I was probably only 10 years old at the time. That's 53 years ago and I still remember that sunny day in Chicago in the summer of 65. He was my favorite grown-up forever.

Bob has inspired us all. We will miss him and his wonderful stories. May Bob rest in peace. Our sympathy to his devoted Janet and their family. Ed and Judy Rowady.

A Diehard Cub’s Fan and So Much MoreOver 300,000 Cubs fans were at Wrigley on October 22, 2016 to celebrate the team heading to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. They each have their own stories about their dedication to the Chicago Cubs. Here is the story of one of those incredible diehard fans. Bob Zondor was a Cubs season ticket holder for over 30 years. Upon retirement he accepted the invitation to become an ambassador at Wrigley Field. The definition of ambassador is a person who acts as a promoter of a specified activity. Without question, Bob has actively promoted his beloved team, the Chicago Cubs, every chance he gets. You will find Bob usually working as an usher around the first base section. Young children will run up to him and wrap their arms around his legs in delight. Teens will happily give him a fist bump and shout, “Cubbies!” He will gladly share his story of sitting on the front porch with his dad listening to the Cubs game on the transistor radio to anyone interested. Bob recalls how a Cubs loss would spoil his father’s entire day. His enthusiasm for the Cubs is something he carries with him wherever he goes. As a waitress leads him to his table at a local restaurant he will pause to pass out a “Let’s Go Cubs” sticker to a fellow patron. At a store he will stop someone wearing a Cubs hat to thank him for being a fan and explain that he works for the Cubs. Somehow every person he stops to chat with about the Cubs walks away with a smile on their face. Here is the amazing part of this diehard Cub fans story. Bob will be 79 years old this December and has been living with Leukemia for the past five years. He has been known to schedule his chemo treatment early in the morning in order to work an evening game at Wrigley. The nursing staff keep a Cub’s calendar which they refer to as “Bob’s schedule” on their desk for planning his appointments. This summer his health seemed to be taking a turn for the worse. His white blood cell and platelet count were dangerously low. His first question to the oncologist was, “Can I still go to work at Wrigley?” After careful consideration it was determined that as long as he felt strong enough he could continue to work. The doctor believed being able to focus his mind on something positive was good for him. As Bob explains, “If I just sit at home all I do is worry about my health but as soon as I get in the car and head for Wrigley my spirits are lifted.” It is also true that for every loyal Cubs fan there is often a devoted partner. Bob’s wife packs a lunch for him to take to each home game. She stands at the door with a pit in her stomach as he drives off saying a quiet prayer that he make it to Wrigley and back safely. If it’s a night game, Bob leaves their home in Northwest Indiana in the early afternoon. He drives to Chinatown where he finds a free parking space. He then walks to the red line and takes the 30 minute train ride into Wrigley. After standing on his feet working as an usher for most of the game he then does the reverse commute arriving home often as late as midnight. In addition to a supportive wife, the staff at Wrigley field have been incredibly kind to Bob. They quietly make accommodations whenever they can for him. Little things like making sure he is the first to go on a lunch break so he doesn’t get too weak. Moving him over to the 3rd base side on those super-hot days so he does not have to be in the direct sun. And, dozens of other gestures of kindness that make it possible for him to work every home game. His story is truly inspiring. He will roll his sleeves up to have his blood drawn. His arms have huge black and blue marks where he has been poked and prodded so many times for blood tests. Bob will simply joke, “Now be careful. Save enough blood so I can get to Wrigley tonight.” Without a doubt if the Cubs are at home Bob Zondor will be there to cheer them on. Now, his dream is coming true. In his lifetime he will get to see the Cubs in the World Series. Thank-you Bob for being such a role model to those that know you, for being a champion ambassador for the Chicago Cubs, and for bringing the true spirit of baseball to life every day. And thank-you Chicago Cubs for fulfilling this man’s dream by taking us to the World Series. Sincerely, Ann Zondor Hentschel (Bob’s Daughter) Here is the link of the newspaper article: http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/mlb/cubs/highland-s-bob-zondor-is-a-true-cubs-ambassador/article_0b580c8d-c0cb-590d-8e9a-e4b490a3dce5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

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