Robert Burns Vlach's Obituary
Robert Burns Vlach was born on November 13, 1940 and passed away on October 20th, 2020 , at the age of 79. His parents, Byron and Catherine, raised him on the Northside of Chicago. He graduated from St George High School, majored in accounting at DePaul University and graduated with honors. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon his completion of ROTC. Bob went to the University of Illinois law school in Champaign/Urbana where he met many lifelong friends and his wife of 54 years, Dottie. After passing the Illinois Bar Exam, Bob and Dottie were married on August 20th, 1966. They immediately left for Ft Bragg N.C. so Bob could serve in the Army. With the Vietnam War escalating, Dottie encouraged Bob to become a JAG officer. He became a Captain and they were off to Okinawa, Japan. Bob and Dottie had a wonderful time in the Orient, traveling to many places including Hong Kong (always a favorite city), Bangkok, Manilla and all over Japan. Before they left Okinawa, Michael Washburn Vlach was born, and the family moved home to Chicago. Bob took a position as an insurance lawyer with Washington National in Evanston, Illinois and began his long career in the insurance industry. The family moved to Buffalo Grove, Illinois and then to Kansas City, Kansas where Meghan Noel Vlach was born the day after Christmas, 1974. They moved to Houston, Texas and finally to Dallas where they have lived in the same house on Hockaday Drive since 1977! Bob eventually joined an insurance firm, UICI, and became General Counsel. He retired from that company in 2005. Mike married Angela DeWit on September 28, 1996. They now live in North Dallas with their two amazing children, Nikolas DeWit, 17 and Maren Olivia, 14. Meghan lives close to Mike in Richardson.
The family bought their lake house at St. Francis on the Lake at Cedar Creek Lake in 1992; and for 28 years it was a wonderful place for family and friends to gather and make great memories! Whether it was sunset cruises, jet skiing, knee boarding, fishing, or trips to Canton to look for treasures on first Mondays, there was always a fun time to be had.
Bob and Dottie continued their love for travel and went on many tours, cruises, and trips with the family. Mike, Bob, and Dottie recently returned to Chicago to visit their old stomping grounds.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be at the United Methodist Church of Preston Hollow on October 28th, 2020. The visitation is at 11:00, a service at 12:00, and graveside service at Restland Cemetery at 1:00.
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