Robert "Cicero Bob" Zelmer

On June 6, 2026, Robert Ronald Zelmer, 71, passed away after complications from multiple health issues. Born January 17, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, Bob graduated from Luther North High School in 1973. He built a long career working as a technician for Siemens assembling medical instruments, and retired in 2012. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Francine Komac, who preceded him in death in 2022. After Francine’s passing, Bob relocated to StoryPoint Senior Living in Strongsville, Ohio where he lived among family and friends until his death.

If you knew Bob, you knew he loved sports. A devoted fan of Chicago teams, he was a familiar voice on local sports-talk radio call-in shows, known as “Cicero Bob.” He relived the thrills of the Bulls’ championship runs, the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl victory, and the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win with contagious enthusiasm. His deep knowledge of sports trivia made him the family’s go-to “Phone a Friend”, to resolve sporting disputes. At StoryPoint he was beloved for running March Madness and Super Bowl pools and for enjoying Guardians games with his sister‑in‑law, Judy Beadell‑Rapp. Bob was a quiet, kind, and generous man with a wicked sense of humor. He treasured family above all and delighted in watching nieces and nephews grow up.

Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Francine (Komac), his parents Walter and Lucille Zelmer, sisters Eleanor Schlegl and Marilyn Newman, nieces Karen Schlegl and Tamara Beadell-Dunn, and nephew James Newman.

Bob is survived by his brother, William Zelmer and his wife, Linda; his brother-in-law, William Schlegl Sr.; his sister-in-law, Judy Beadell-Rapp; his nephew, William (Billy) Schlegl Jr. and his wife, Mary Kay, and their children, Allison, Christine, and Sam; his niece, Vicky Beadell-Rafter and her husband, David, and their son, Ben; his niece, Jillian Ritter and her husband, Micah, and their children, Maddie and Max; his niece, Becky Sednek and her son, Matthew; and his niece, Kristi Hosea and her husband, Paul, and their children, Jonah and Micah.

Those who wish to honor Bob’s memory are encouraged to celebrate with their favorite Chicago team, share a fond memory, or make a small donation to a local charity of their choice.