Robert Douglas "Rob" Aper Obituary (1970 - 2015)

Robert Douglas "Rob" Aper, 44, of Normal, passed away suddenly at 1:02 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Eastview Christian Church, 1500 Airport Rd, Normal, with Pastor Tyler Hari officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Gardens, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, 1800 Eastland Dr, Bloomington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert Aper Sr. Childrens Trust for his childrens future, in care of Trustee Floyd Aper, 606 Whispering Pines CC Lane, Normal, IL 61761. Rob was born September 7, 1970 in Lincoln, a son of Floyd and Gail Aper. He is survived by his two sons, Wil, 13 and RJ, 10, both of Normal; his parents, Floyd and Gail Aper of Normal; a brother, Lt. Colonel Rick (Lori) Aper of Key Largo, FL; his loving partner, Julie Hopper of Normal; nieces and nephews, Ryan Aper of Florida, David Hanck of Hopedale, Kristin Aper, Kaylee Aper and Michael Aper, all of North Carolina. Also surviving are Julies children, Jordan (Patrick Drumm) Burns of Georgia, Kailey Burns of Normal and Jake Correa of Normal, all of whom Rob was proud to call his family. Rob attended ISU before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He served in Korea and Desert Storm. Upon discharge, he was a Corrections Officer for the McLean County Sheriffs office. For the past seventeen years, he has fulfilled his career passion as a Normal Firefighter. Rob served on the Board of Bloomington Cardinals Youth Football League as well as being on their medical staff. Rob helped create mandatory concussion testing for all football players. In addition he helped in the library at Parkside Elementary. He was pin man for wrestling, handing out pins to the wrestlers for their achievements. He coached the BNBA for years. He did all of this for the love of his two boys and all of those children whose lives he touched. Rob was a loving, caring, sharing man with an infectious laugh and will be truly missed by his family and all whom he touched. He lived life to the fullest and was an "awesome" father. When it came to loving life, Rob "nailed it."rnTo express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.comrn