Robert A. Cleland
Cleland, Robert A. Longtime Wilmette resident and peace activist Robert Cleland, 89, died Sunday at home, leaving his wife of 65 years, Jean (nee Rolfing); six children; and three grandchildren. A 1943 graduate of University of Minnesota, Cleland served as a Naval officer until 1946. In the 1960s, he co-founded the Wilmette chapter of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy and organized protests against the Vietnam War. After retirement in 1976, he served as director of NOMOR, an arms control advocacy group, and co-founded the North Suburban Peace Initiative. As members of Wilmette's First Congregational Church (UCC) for 54 years, the Clelands helped lead efforts to move the church towards positions against the Vietnam War and in support of civil rights, affordable housing, sanctuary for Central American refugees, and nuclear disarmament. In 1986, Cleland was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the heavily Republican Tenth District. His well-respected campaign earned the endorsement of the local Pioneer Press. As an activist, Cleland gave countless presentations at churches, universities, and community forums; organized numerous marches and demonstrations; and composed essays, signature ads, and letters to the editor critiquing U.S. foreign and domestic policies. Beginning in 1957, "Mr. C." turned the family's backyard into a playground for two generations of neighborhood children, who played on rope swings, flew through the air on an overhead zip line (known as "the pulley") and jumped from the garage roof onto mattresses. In wintertime, tobogganers raced down an iced ramp and across the snowy yard, through a forest of salvaged Christmas trees festooned with lights. Cleland enjoyed gardening, singing in his church choir, chopping wood, and writing frequent newsletters to a far-flung network of relatives and friends. A memorial service will take place in May. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to NSPI (www.nspipeace.org). 
PS- Remember Jimmy fucking Targe? that kid fucked everything up.
-bobby
3 comments:
a remember when andrew took a hammer to the head or some shit like that and d dubs went on the war path and none of us were allowed back over to mr c's for sometime.
jumping off the roof onto a bunch of mattresses.
I do remember getting hit in the head with the hammer however I do not remember the ban. Speaking of these types of situations I had to own up to the Hagenah house break in to Boobington b/c she was slandering our whole friend group. The broken glass a PJ's was also mentioned. I have to say most of the trouble we got into revolved around you Zachly. I'm not complaining as it added a lot of spice and stitches to my childhood.
RIP Mr. C. To childhood shenanigans and injuries.
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