Bob Kraft, Co-Owner of Route 66's Riviera Roadhouse, Dies

From the July 8, 2014, Route 66 News.

Liz told me that Bob Kraft had died July 1, 2014, at age 90, in an article she saw in the Route 66 News.  Sad to hear that.

Bob Kraft was born May 4, 1924 in Chicago and married Peggy in 1972.  Peggy died in May 2013.  Together, they owned the popular, must-stop, Riviera Roadhouse in Gardner, Illinois for 37 years before retiring in 2008.  Sadly, the place burned down under "mysterious" circumstances in 2010.

The place was inducted into the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame in 1994.

I regard myself as fortunate to have met both of them on numerous occasions before the place closed.  It was unique.

Now, Bob and Peggy join the list of ever-so special Illinois Route 66 folks we were able to meet after we got into the road back in 2002.  That would include Bob Waldmire, Tom Teague, Ernie Edwards and Bill Shea.

Well, Bob is All-Route 66, but Home-Based in Illinois.  --RoadDog