Robert "Bob" Darnall

Robert J. (Bob) Darnall, 83, beloved by all who knew him, passed on surrounded by his family on Tuesday, October 19.

     Bob and his wife, Marletta, residents of Englewood, FL, lived in the Chicago area for 59 years, also spending time in Delavan and Lake Geneva, WI.

     Born in Normal, IL, Bob graduated from DePauw University in 1960 with a B.A. in mathematics.  He earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Columbia University in 1962 after which he joined Inland Steel.  In 1973 he earned his MBA from the University of Chicago.

          In 1998, Bob retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Inland Steel Industries.  After concluding his 36 year Inland Steel career, he joined Ispat International N.V., now Arcelor Mittal, the world’s largest steel manufacturer, as head of their North American operations.  Bob left Ispat in 2000 and headed up metals procurement company Prime Advantage until 2002.

      Bob had been a member of the Board of Directors of Cummins, Inc., Household International, Pactiv Corp., Sunoco, Inc., U.S. Steel Corp., Macsteel Group (South Africa) and SunCoke Energy. He was past Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the American Iron and Steel Institute.  His industry honors include being selected “Steelmaker of The Year” in 1995 by New Steel magazine and being awarded the Gary Medal in 1999, the highest honor granted by the American Iron and Steel Institute to one of their own.

     Bob served on the Boards of Trustees of DePauw University and the University of Chicago.  He served and is past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Science and Industry and continued his service as Trustee of Rush University Medical Center.  Bob was past Chairman of Junior Achievement of Chicago and currently served as past Chairman and Trustee of Glenwood Academy.  He had long term involvement with Fourth Presbyterian Church and United Way of Chicago.  A member of Sigma Chi, Bob was honored to be a “Significant Sig”.

     Bob leaves behind Marletta, their son Matthew (Jennifer) (of Glen Ellyn, IL), their daughter Jill Tanner (Tony)(of Highlands Ranch, CO, ) and much loved grandchildren: Nicole, Michael, Javier, and Allison.  Private family services will be held on Thanksgiving.  A celebration of Bob will be held in the summer of 2022.  Two brothers and his sister have pre - deceased him.  In lieu of flowers, gifts in Bob’s name can be made to DePauw University and Glenwood Academy.

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