Graham’s Chocolates Owner Bob Untiedt Dies After Cancer Battle

GENEVA, IL — Robert Untiedt, co-owner of Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream and Graham’s 318 Coffee House, died Sunday after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 64.

Untiedt, who lived in St. Charles with his wife, Beckie, opened his flagship Graham’s chocolate store in 1987 in Geneva. The Untiedts have been stars in the area ever since.

The family owns a second Graham’s Fine Chocolates location in Wheaton, as well as Graham’s 318 Coffee House in Geneva. Bob Untiedt named his businesses in honor of his mother, Helen (Graham) Untiedt.

“Bob would want you to know how deeply he loved his family, his employees, his community, music and chocolate,” his family said in his obituary. “He had a heart for hospitality and brought that love to and dedication to his businesses.”

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Untiedt took an unusual path to confectionary success after graduating from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He started his career as a high school teacher and band director, playing in several bands across the Chicago area, according to his obituary.

Bob and Beckie Untiedt first met when she auditioned to be the lead singer in his band, his family said.

“The two went on not only to grow an amazing family and business together, but they also made beautiful music with one another for over 30 years,” his family wrote.

The Untiedt family will hold a public visitation from 2-6 p.m. Friday at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road, followed by a private memorial. The family is asking people to consider donating in Bob’s memory to TriCity Family Services or Lazaurs House, in lieu of flowers.

Below is Bob Untiedt’s full obituary, as submitted to Patch by his family.

Robert L. Untiedt
May 25, 1956 — March 21, 2021

Robert L Untiedt, 64, proprietor of Graham’s Chocolates in Geneva, IL passed away to his heavenly home in the loving arms of his wife, Beckie, after a yearlong battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Beckie Untiedt neé Harm, daughters Jayni (Matt) Wunderlich, Maddi (Jarrett) Smith. Sisters, Susan (Terry) Klatt, Bonita Untiedt, Twin Sister-in-law, Bonnie (Rick) Pechous, grandchildren Lainey, Sloane, and Cullen, and many in-laws, nephews and nieces, and a huge Graham’s Family of Employees that spans over 30 years. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Harvey and Helen (Graham) Untiedt.

Bob would want you to know how deeply he loved his family, his employees, his community, music, and chocolate. He had a heart for hospitality and brought that love and dedication to his businesses Graham’s Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream in Geneva and Wheaton, and Graham’s 318 Coffee House in Geneva.

He never met a stranger. He loved and struck up conversations with anyone he bumped into and loved to chat with customers and fellow business owners.

Blessed with a natural musical talent, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from NIU and began his career as a high school band director and teacher at Forest View. He played music all over Chicagoland with several bands, notably JP & the Katz, PF Fliers and Bonita Dreams. One serendipitous night, he met his wife Beckie
when she auditioned for lead singer of his band. The two went on not only to grow an amazing family and business together, but they also made beautiful music with one another for over 30 years.

He and Beckie led praise services at St Mark’s Lutheran Church for over a decade every Sunday, and participated in services at Christ Community, both in St Charles. He also served on the board of directors at The State Bank of Geneva and Retail Confectioner’s
International (RCI).

He was never happier than when he was spending time with his family and friends, leading worship, or creating his chocolates, sitting in the front window of Graham’s, waving to passersby.

If you knew Bob, you know his sense of humor was both goofy and deadpan. His daughters and wife always loved to dress him up, which was convenient since the last time he stepped foot into a clothing store was in the 1980s. He found everything to be “fabulous” and if you did something he found neat, he’d say, “Cool Beans.” He once tried out for the US Olympic Bobsled team on a whim. He excelled at skiing, ice skating, juggling, and doing the moonwalk. He could play and write music for nearly any instrument. He had a love for Drum Corps which took him all over the US to attend World Championship competitions. He was the best Dad to his daughters and Papa to his grandbabies and was always willing to show off pictures of them to anyone with eyes. He loved going to concerts with his wife Beckie, who he nicknamed “Beautiful,” and traveling internationally with friends from RCI.

He has left a legacy to his children, and has always had an eye to the future, preparing the way for his daughters to carry on the Graham’s tradition for the next generation, and those generations to come.

His humble grace and generosity to the community will carry on in those who loved him and those who grew up enjoying Graham’s Chocolates. In the beginning he didn’t know how deeply he would become rooted in the history of Geneva, he only knew that with
his mother’s inspiration and his father’s blessing, he would hone the art of hand-crafted chocolates, and by doing so become a Geneva icon.

His smile, his grace, and his wisdom will be missed. And to all of you, he does not say goodbye. Instead he says, “Bon Jovi.”

Visitation will be open to the public (with masks required to attend) on Friday, March 26, from 2pm - 6pm at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, IL. There will be a private memorial service for the family immediately following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob’s memory to TriCity
Family Services at tricityfamilyservices.org, or Lazarus House at lazarushouse.net.

The family requests privacy at this time and thanks everyone for their understanding and love for Bob, Graham’s and his family.