Brother organizes search for Barrington-area man

A search party is being organized for Sunday afternoon for a Barrington-area man who disappeared more than a month ago.

Family members say 47-year-old Robert "Bob" Nelson of unincorporated Lake County was last seen around 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7 at a bank, where he was transferring funds between accounts. He was officially reported missing at about 8 p.m. the same day.

Nelson's brother Tom has traveled up from Florida to lead the family's efforts to find the missing man as well as take over as caretaker for their mother, who is undergoing cancer treatments.

Tom Nelson hopes the search will draw more than 100 volunteers, with whom he plans to canvass his brother's neighborhood and uncover new clues to his whereabouts.

The search will begin at noon Sunday at the park in the Shady Hills subdivision off Routes 22 and 14 in Cuba Township, near Kelsey Road. A map will be posted on the Web site helpfindbob.com.

Tom Nelson said his brother is a self-employed print broker who works out of his home. He is a 1983 graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee and a member of Fremd High School's class of 1979 who recently attended their 30-year reunion.

Robert Nelson is going through a divorce, his brother said, and is the father of two children ages 16 and 11.

The missing man is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 165 pounds, bald and with hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a gray T-shirt.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Dave Godlewski said the ongoing investigation into Robert Nelson's disappearance has uncovered little, but all leads as to his possible whereabouts are exhausted for the time being.

Godlewski said the family is theorizing their loved one may have met with foul play. While there has been no evidence to suggest that, neither is the possibility being ruled out.

Investigators are aware of the plans for Sunday's search, though they believe their own has left no stone unturned.

"We do fully support their efforts and I hope for the family's sake it has a positive conclusion," Godlewski said.

Tom Nelson said he expects some of his volunteers will be off-duty firefighters from the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.