WCC Community Mourns the Passing of Robert “Bob” Costello, Long-Time Board Member and Friend
On Thanksgiving, November 28, 2024, Bob Costello, a dear friend and long-time trustee of Wyoming Catholic College, passed away peacefully, after a brief battle with cancer.
“Bob was an extraordinary man,” said Professor Kyle Washut, the College’s president. “From his first connection with Wyoming Catholic, when he told us that ‘your project is so very important,’ we were blessed by his friendship, his generosity, his counsel, and his wonderful sense of humor. As a man who was passionate about his faith, his country, and about the Truth, Bob will be greatly missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Sue, to his family, and to all those who knew and loved him.”
As noted in the obituary penned so lovingly by his family, “in his final weeks, Bob’s family and friends surrounded him at home in Grand Rapids. Illness didn’t rob Bob of his exuberance–he regaled loved ones with signature humor and hijinks, even as he reflected on a life defined by family, faith, curiosity and liberty. With spiritual peace and joyful anticipation, he passed away feeling ready for the next chapter in his journey.”
“Bob was a gentleman and a hero to me,” said fellow board member, Marie deLorimier Wilmer. “He was a thoughtful and good man who loved the college and who brought wisdom, warmth, and humor to our board meetings. I know that one of his most sincere wishes was to see this college thrive and grow, and I know that he will be with us in spirit as we advance over the coming years. Heartfelt thanks to God for having known him in this life.”
Bob enjoyed a successful professional career, spending more than three decades in the investment business. He formed lifelong friendships at firms that included LaSalle/Exchange Bank/ABN AMRO, R.W. Baird, and First Tennessee, where he ran Chicago’s Capital Market group. His later work took him across Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana with BBW Capital Advisors. He closed his career as a Managing Director with Sierra Summit Advisors.
He dedicated time and expertise to causes that support faith, education and liberty. He had a life-long passion for free market economics and limited government, holding leadership positions with SocialSecurityChoice.org, Americans for Limited Government and the Sam Adams Alliance. In addition to serving on the College’s board, he served on the boards of the U.S. Term Limits Foundation, the Acton Institute, Illinois Opportunity Project, Chairvalle Montessori School, St. Athanasius Parish School, Americans for Limited Terms, and the Free Market Society of Chicago.
Bob was married to his wife, Sue, for over 46 years. They had three grown children and two grandchildren, and his legacy lives on through his family, friends and the countless others whose lives he touched. As his obituary says, “Bob saw the spirit of God in everyone. He was a friend to many, creating connections wherever he went and leaving a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His kindness, humor, and kid-at-heart goofiness endeared him to all and remained a constant until the very end. …To honor Bob’s memory, please follow his example: open your mail with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning, make a new friend from a mundane interaction, ride your bike across the lake during a blizzard, misspell a word, connect everyones’ straws to drink from the next table’s margarita, sing enthusiastically (if off- key) at church. Have fun.”
A memorial service and celebration of Bob’s extraordinary life will be held Saturday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m., with Catholic Mass at St. Athanasius Church (1615 Lincoln St., Evanston, IL). A luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Wilmette Harbor Club (20 Harbor Drive, Wilmette, IL).
In memory of Bob’s life and his life-long commitment to “free speech, civil discourse, and the use of reason and critical thinking in pursuit of the truth,’ his family has established the “Robert K. Costello ‘Happy Warrior’ Endowed Scholarship Fund” at Wyoming Catholic College in his honor. A stipend given each year to the student who best exemplifies the principles Bob held so dear, the “Happy Warrior” Award reflects the optimism that Bob had in the future of the country and his belief that what binds us together as citizens is stronger than what pulls us apart.
