Rob Roy loses one of its stalwart leaders

Al Bayer was always the first person to arrive for Prospect Heights city council meetings, and usually the last to leave.

The Rob Roy resident was a mainstay at meetings throughout the 21 years he lived in the community. Mr. Bayer passed away last week of natural causes. He was 81.

A moment of silence was held for Mr. Bayer at the Prospect Heights city council meeting on Monday. Officials recalled his commitment to civic issues as a member of the Rob Roy board of commissioners.

“He acted upon what he heard at city council meetings, said Alderman John Styler, who called Mr. Bayer Rob Roy's own “sheriff of Nottingham.

Added Mayor Dolly Vole: “There was nothing he did that he did not champion for his residents.

Rob Roy board President Joanne Twomey said board members rotate who goes to city council meetings every month, then report back to the rest of the board. Mr. Bayer would go even when he wasn't required to.

Mr. Bayer was Rob Roy board president from 2006 to 2008. He started the board's safety, security and environment committee that worked on community watch programs. He was also involved in the clubhouse improvement, social recreation and finance committees.

“He was the first one there. If he had to set up, he set up. If he had to open the door, he opened the door, Twomey said. “He liked to know what was going on.

Twomey said social recreation committee members had called him “the quiet, informed voice of reason.

“He had a tremendous knowledge of what was going on, added Lou Keesey, the board's vice president.

He said Mr. Bayer spent time at the clubhouse everyday, so it was fitting that his memorial service was held there on Sunday. Some 200 people attended, including several city officials.

“He did not want to go to a funeral home, said Patricia Bayer, his wife of 54 years. “He wanted it at the clubhouse. He wanted to make everybody happy and not upset.

Mr. Bayer spent years as an engineer for Western Electric and later AT&T. Mrs. Bayer said her husband spent years in the Army stringing phone lines throughout Germany and Switzerland. The couple came to the Chicago suburbs from New York when he was transferred by Western Electric.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Bayer is survived by a son, daughter and four grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to St. Peter Lutheran School, 111 W. Olive St. in Arlington Heights.