Roby Lee Sloan, 86, of Huntley, IL, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.
He was born on August 29, 1938, in Moline, Illinois to Milton and Opal (Noble) Sloan. Roby and Marlene were born and raised in Illinois, their life together took them to Michigan and Texas before they returned to the Chicago area.
Roby received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University, a graduate degree from the University of WI Graduate School of Banking and numerous management schools. He began his career in 1962 by writing and speaking on Agricultural Economics for the Seventh Federal Reserve District’s Research department.
Roby built a distinguished career in banking, spending more than three decades at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago before retiring in 1996 as Senior Vice President of the Federal Reserve’s Detroit Branch. His leadership helped shape the institution’s role in modern banking, overseeing its transition into electronic financial services and positioning Detroit as a pioneer in digital transactions.
More than his strategic vision, Roby was known for his hands-on leadership. He met with every manager and supervisor one-on-one to discuss their potential and
encourage their growth. He made a habit of walking the floor daily, greeting employees at every level, ensuring that even night-shift workers knew they were valued. He understood his customers’ needs well and had an unrelenting focus on customer service.
Roby’s influence extended beyond his career. He was a profoundly involved grandfather who took special interest in his grandchildren’s education and careers. His
favorite pastime was fishing. He spent fifty plus years fishing on Lake Vermilion, MN with colleagues, family and friends. He leaves behind him a great legacy of love.
Roby is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marlene Sloan; his children, Gregory (Edna) Sloan, Jennifer (Tony) Fricano, and Margie (Dave) Huesing; two siblings, John (Pat) Sloan, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Clorita Kenny of Springfield, Illinois; six grandchildren, Dr. Castrenze (Greta) Fricano, Giuseppe (Victoria) Fricano, Antonino
(Emily) Fricano, Grazia Fricano, Dr. Clara (Kevin) Huesing, and Robert Huesing; and three great-grandchildren, Laila, Aina, and Sloan. He was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings: Bernard Sloan, Lindy Sloan, and Bonnie Pratt. His family will gather at a later date to celebrate his life.
He will be laid to rest in a Sloan plot of the Aledo, IL cemetery. DeFiore Funeral Home has been trusted with arrangements.
The family requests that donations be made in memory of Roby Sloan to the Mayo Clinic/designated to prostate cancer research. Gifts can be made online (mayoclinic.org) or mailed to 200 First Street SW, Rochester MN 55905; or to the JourneyCare Hospice/Hope Foundation (405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington IL 60010).
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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So sorry to hear about Roby's passing. He was a great man and great friends and neighbors of our parents. He will be missed by all.