Robert Byron Covalt

Robert Byron Covalt passed away peacefully at his home December 30, 2020.  He was born in Chicago November 8, 1931 to Byron and Thelma Covalt.

Robert attended Chicago Public Schools and always felt thankful for the excellent education he received.  It was at Senn High School on the far north side of Chicago that he met his future wife, Ginny.  Since he was on the school swim team he spent much of his time in the water at swim meets where Ginny cheered him on.  They spent many years attending formal dances at the big hotels given by fraternities and sororities that were popular at Senn at the time. He was also very active in his youth group at church, The Little Church of the City, where his parents and grandparents worshipped.  He and Ginny were married there in 1950.  While in college he was still on the swim team and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  Bob was also in ROTC which afforded him commission of LT in the Air Force, which he loved.

They dated for seven years and were married in Bob’s last year at Purdue University, where he studied chemical engineering.  They had fun times living with all the other married couples off campus.  Upon graduation he was called to the Air Force where he taught electronics.  They loved Mississippi, living right on the Gulf and being able to enjoy the singles life in the south.

After the service they settled in Ringwood, IL where he accepted a position as a young engineer at Morton Chemical. He loved his Morton Family and was there for 35 years as an engineer, then as president. He then retired and began his own company,Sovereign Specialty Chemicals Co, the largest sealants company in the country.  While he worked days at Morton he commuted the University of Chicago where he earned a Master’s Degree in Business and later received an honorary Doctorate from Purdue University.

He was known by his peers as Mr. Glue. Bob was also known for his love of cookies. He was a proud Purdue Boilermaker and an avid Packers fan.

Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ginny; children, Karen Ryberg, and David (Ann) Covalt; and grandchildren, Jennifer, Stephen, and Brett Covalt, and Rob, Kristin and Jon Ryberg.  He also leaves behind his wonderful church family at St. Paul UCC, Crystal Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, January 5 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave (Route 176) Crystal Lake followed by burial at Union Cemetery, Crystal Lake.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, a memorial gift to Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock would be most appreciated.