Robert John Duresa D.D.S. M.S.P.H. Obituary
Dr. Robert John Duresa, D.D.S. M.S.P.H., age 85 formally of Barrington Hills passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 in Wheeling. Born November 2, 1934 in Chicago to the union of John Daniel Duresa and Victoria Marie Krawczyk.
He attended Chicago schools – Chase Elementary and Lane Tech High School, graduating at the young age of 16. After attending Wright Jr College and University of Illinois Navy Pier, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery, DDS at Loyola Dental School Chicago from 1954 to 1958.
Dr. Duresa began his dental career as a Captain in the United States Air Force Medical Corp reserves. He was called into active duty in 1958.
In 1961, he established his first private practice office in Roselle, Illinois, continuing through 1969. Concurrently, he found time to be a clinical lab instructor at Northwestern Dental School in Evanston, Illinois.
In 1969, Dr. Duresa attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned his Masters degree in Public Health, M.S.P.H.
In the 1970s, he was Director of Humanitarian Foundation Dentistry at Illinois Masonic Hospital, providing services to developmentally disabled children. Services were funded by The Grotto, a branch of the Masons.
Later, Dr. Duresa was Director of Dental services at Illinois Chicago Reed Mental Health Facility, retiring after 20 years of service.
Over a period of 15 years, he was the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team dentist. He attended all home ice games and provided emergency services on the spot.
He opened his second dental practice in the Chicago Loop at the Playboy Building, 919 N. Michigan Ave, eventually becoming known as the “Playboy Bunny Doc”. Retirement from his practice of dentistry came in 2013.
Beloved husband of Bonnie, loving father of Connie (Joe) Brennan of Lincolnwood, Dr. Roberta (Michael) Pannitto, DVM of Tinley Park, Cathie Duresa of Lake In The Hills and Richard Duresa of Barrington Hills.
Fond grandfather of Nicole and Michael Robert Pannitto. Dear brother of Carol (Don) Winkler of Lindenhurst.
Visitation Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral Monday, February 24, 2020 10:00 A.M. at Seguin & Symonds Funeral Home, 858 Sheridan Road, Highwood, Illinois.
Interment with military honors at Fort Sheridan Cemetery, Vattner Road, Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
