Robert Contreras

Also at an early age he started messing around with a toy guitar my Dad got him, that small guitar eventually broke, and my Dad got him a bigger, better guitar which he promptly broke over the back of one of my cousins after he got mad at him, we know he had his temper! However, he never lost his passion for playing the guitar. He would sing us songs such as “De un rancho a otro” at family gatherings and would pass his sombrero around for tips after completing a song. He honed his talent for the guitar and I always thought he had a magical singing voice. I loved listening to him at camping trips next to his famous camp fires he loved.

We moved to Chicago in the early 90’s and he immediately fell in love with the city. He knew everything and anything about the city. From politics, to landmarks to history, spending a day with him was a history lesson. In fact, he had a passion for history of the world. When I would travel, I couldn’t wait to get back to tell him about my trip and every time he would teach me more about those places that I had experienced in person. I will miss those conversations. He was extremely smart and knew about everything and could talk to anyone about anything really.

One of his favorite subjects was sports. What a passionate fan he was. At an early age, he played little league and football at the boy’s club. He loved playing football, playing both offense and defense. He was the voice of the team, always barking orders and encouraging his teammates. I remember one fall game when the team wasn’t doing too good, I told him at the half that I would give him $5 for each sack. He went out and got 3 sacks and they won the game. He eventually became a well liked and respected coach of the boy’s club.

Watching Bears games with him was a rollercoaster of emotions. Every play and every decision was scrutinized by him. I remember him jumping up and down when Hester returned the opening kick in the Super Bowl. Sadly, the rest of the game did not go as planned. His true love was baseball and the Cubs. He enjoyed Ken Burns documentaries especially the history of baseball. He knew it all, historical stats, games, players, plays, you name it he knew it.

Wrigley was a special place for him. I remember getting a call from Robert telling me, “Theo Epstein is being introduced today, do you want to go?” I immediately said yes and picked him up. It was me, Robert, Ronnie Woo Woo and about 20 other people, mostly press that showed up. We made the news and the Tribune that day and we spend the rest of the day joking about how Theo was scared of Ronnie Woo Woo being in his face, a large homeless looking guy, in full Cub uniform, just hugging him form nowhere, boy did we laugh that day. We would enjoy endless conversations between Valente, Robert and I about the Cubs future and it culminated with the Cubs winning the 2016 World Series. In my opinion, the happiest moment of his life. He was such a fan that he wanted to be laid to rest wearing his beloved “Contreras” jersey or the “cuz” as he would call him.

Robert, Valente and I attended countless sporting events from Bears, Notre Dame football games, Hawks, Bulls, Mexico soccer game, Cubs, we once visited Boston and made it to Fenway, however the most memorable game was our last game at Wrigley together just a couple of years ago. We sat behind home plate, a game versus the Mariners and King Felix. They dominated the entire game but we came back and in incredible fashion, we went into extra innings and pulled a miracle win, that was our last game together.

Rob’s impact on people is reflected in the hundreds of messages, pictures, calls and texts from people whom lives were deeply touched and changed by his contagious faith in everyone, his unfathomable enthusiasm, his transcendent empathy and compassion, his unmatched strength and love, his roaring laugh and his relentless sense of humor. Rob made every single person feel that no matter what, he had all the time in the world for their lives and stories.

Things I will remember fondly:

- His love for his family and family gatherings.

- His incredible, bright mind.

- His poker expertise and skill.

- Him playing cover bands, his voice, his songs.

- Watching sports with him.

- Texting back and forward about anything and everything.

- Watching “Rudy” and reciting all the lines 😊

- Our vacations together, especially our Puerto Vallarta adventures and Vegas trips.

- His laugh, his sense of humor, his jokes.

- His many funny accents such as “Chicago sports guy”, “the most interesting man in the world”, really any accent he would copy it and make it sound funny.

- His “Simpson’s” knowledge, hearing all his show quotes.

- Trading Ken Burns documentary stories.

- His temper and the troubles it would get us in all the time!

- His presence, always around and full of life.

The love of his life was my niece, Mia. All though, my Mom would argue it was Sheryl Scott ha-ha. Rob lived for Mia and would do anything and everything for her. He also loved our family, Mom, Dad, all his siblings and our extended family. He looked forward to the Holidays and having people over. He selfishly said he wanted to host the parties to enjoy the left overs the next day.

I’m glad we were able to spend the holidays together and we had such a great time. I know Robert is in a better place and resting with no pain. Towards the end, he was coping with so much pain, I know it was unbearable. However, I can only imagine how much more he could have accomplished in his life were it not for his illness.

On behalf of my Dad, Abraham Sr., Mom, Hilda, Valente and Emily, Jessica, Mia and Manny and Christina and myself Abe Jr., I want to thank all for coming and sharing your stories about Robert and for your support. We know he is resting, listening to some Beatles tunes and looking forward to spring training.

Bro, I will miss you but never forget you and as you would so eloquently would always say:

“Vaya con Dios”