Visitation, funeral set for political giant Robert Depke

Visitation and a funeral service are set for longtime Lake County politician Robert "Bob" Depke.

Depke, 84, who had been ill for about a year, died at his Gurnee home Friday. He was Warren Township's supervisor for 35 years and Lake County Board chairman in the 1960s and 1990s.

Visitation is set for 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Robert W. Depke Warren Township Center, 17801 W. Washington St., just outside Gurnee.

A funeral service is scheduled at 5 p.m. Saturday at Gurnee Community Church, 4555 Old Grand Ave. in the village. Burial will be private.

Instead of flowers, donations are requested for the Warren Township Special Recreation Association.

Depke, a Republican, received the nickname "Bulldozer Bob" from political opponents and open space advocates for his pro-development stance while on the county board.

He embraced the nickname to the point he displayed a toy bulldozer in his office, according to his son, Shawn Depke.