Longtime owner of the former Spiegler's Department Store in Des Plaines dies

Spiegler's Department Store was Des Plaines' version of Marshall Field's, a mainstay of the community from its opening in 1900 to its sale in 1986.

And even after the store closed, Bob Spiegler remained in Des Plaines at the home he bought 60 years ago.

Spiegler, 87, died Monday morning, said Mary Spiegler, his wife of 64 years. She said her husband, who had complications from diabetes and suffered other medical problems, including a broken back following a fall, had gone out for a doctor's appointment. He was found slumped over in the parking lot at Holy Family Medical Center. He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where he died Wednesday afternoon.

“He had a long full life,” she said.

Spiegler lived in Des Plaines his entire life, having been raised by his parents in a home on Prairie Avenue. He went to school at Maine Township High School.

After attending college for a year, he decided to pursue his career at the store where he had been working since he was a boy.

The store was opened in 1900 by Bob's grandfather, Louis Spiegler Sr. At the time, people's goods were delivered by horse and buggy. The store survived the Depression, running tabs for its regular customers, as well as a fire.

Along with uncles Walter and Louis Spiegler and cousins David and Roger Spiegler, Bob owned and managed the historic department store at 1467 Ellinwood St.

A steady stream of customers would flow into the store, and Bob devoted his energies fully to its operation.

“He loved that store. That was his life,” Mary said. “It was a full department store. They used to call it the Marshall Field's of Des Plaines. They had a men's department, a women's department, baby department, Girl Scout and Boy Scout department.”

And Bob also found love at the store.

“I worked there after school and part-time on Saturdays,” she said.

Bob also devoted himself to the community the store served. He was a past president of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Des Plaines Lions Club and had been an active member of the Des Plaines Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

He was also a Mason, a Shriner and a member of the Elks Club. Both he and his wife were members of the Des Plaines Dance Club.

He served in the Korean War, first in the United States Navy and then in the Army.

With the advent of malls like Randhurst, the store's days were numbered. There was a brief move to another location in the Des Plaines Mall downtown, but ultimately, Bob decided it was time to retire. The mall's co-owner operated the store for a few years, but it closed in 1992 and the mall was demolished in 1997.

“When he saw the malls coming in, he decided it was time to get out,” Mary said.

The store was sorely missed by its loyal clientele.

“Even after the store was closed, people kept asking, ‘Please open another store.' They missed it so much,” Mary said. “He said, ‘Nope, I'm not going to compete with that.'”

In his retirement, he golfed regularly with his wife at Rolling Green Country Club and was a huge Bears fan, owning season tickets. And he enjoyed doing yardwork and spending time around the pool at his cherished home.

In addition to his wife Mary, Bob Spiegler is survived by his children Nancy (Gary) Novak and Susan (James) Borowski; three grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation at the First Congregational Church of Des Plaines, 766 Graceland Ave., will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, with service at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.

For information, contact G. L. Hills Funeral Home, (847) 699-9003, or glhillsfuneralhome.com.