Robert Boharic, a former judge and dedicated family man, passed away at 79, leaving behind a legacy of love and commitment.
Chicago: Bob Boharic was a guy who really lived life to the fullest. He tackled each day with the same energy he had as a former Marine.
Being a tough prosecutor and later a criminal court judge wasn’t enough for him. He handled some serious cases and even dealt with tricky insurance disputes.
Every summer, he’d head to a judicial college in Nevada to sharpen his skills. He was all about improvement.
Bob didn’t just play around; he earned a black belt in taekwondo and played in three softball leagues every week. Talk about dedication!
When it came to his health, he took it seriously. After struggling with his weight, he went on a liquid diet and lost 100 pounds, keeping most of it off.
After the heartbreaking loss of his young son, he turned to his faith. He became a deacon in the Catholic Church and even learned Hebrew and Greek.
His son, Rev. Tom Boharic, shared, “My dad had a heart of gold. He pursued everything to the fullest.” He really gave his all to everything he did.
Bob was also a big softball fan, playing for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office team. He was 79 when he passed away from heart failure complications.
Born in Chicago in 1945, Bob was adopted by a loving family. His adoptive dad worked at International Harvester, and his mom was a homemaker. He cherished them deeply.
His wife, Katie, said being adopted felt like a privilege to him. They were married for 53 years, and he was a devoted husband and father.
Bob graduated from Leo High School and went on to John Carroll University. With the Vietnam War going on, he enlisted in the Marine Corps but ended up serving in Japan instead.
After the war, he joined the state’s attorney’s office and later became a Circuit Court judge, thanks to some political help from his mother-in-law.
Tragedy struck when he lost his son to cancer, but it only strengthened his marriage with Katie. They turned to their faith and became active in their church.
Bob loved baptizing children and spending time with his grandkids. He was all about family and community.
In 1990, he even ran for the Illinois Supreme Court but lost to former Mayor Michael Bilandic. It was a tough race, but he never lost his spirit.
Years later, he reconnected with his biological family, filling in some gaps in his life. He leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, kids, and grandkids.
Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Riverside, with services following. Donations can be made to Mother of the Americas Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
