Co-owner of Graham’s, 318 Coffeehouse Bob Untiedt dies at 64

GENEVA – Robert Untiedt, co-owner of the iconic Graham’s Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream in Geneva and Wheaton, died Sunday after a year long battle with cancer. He was 64.

According to an obituary and news release, Bob Untiedt, of St. Charles, and his wife, Beckie, opened their chocolate stores in 1987.

They opened 318 Coffeehouse a few doors down from their chocolate and ice cream store in Geneva. In 2015, after being in business 10 years, 318 Coffeehouse was listed in People magazine’s “24 Coffee Shops in America You have to Visit.”

Mayor Kevin Burns said the city’s flags are at half-staff for those who died of the coronavirus, but now also for Bob’s passing.

“We share the heartbreak with his family and hope they know our love for Bob is forever,” Burns said.

“Bob’s humility, hospitality and humanity was without equal,” Burns said. “He was much more than a business owner. He embodied the very essence of Third Street in Geneva — warm, welcoming authentic and always fun.”

Kristen Cornelio, who worked for Graham’s Chocolates for six years, credited Bob Untiedt’s mentoring and encouragement which led to her now owning her own marketing business.

“Of all the jobs that I have worked in this community, working for Untiedt family was one of the most inspiring and they both were great mentors to me,” Cornelio said.

“I learned very much from Bob and he always encouraged me to chase after my dreams. I don’t think I would be the business owner I am, were it not for his mentorship in the six years I worked for him,” Cornelio said. “Bob left lasting footprints in this community and it’s safe to say it’s the community is going to mourn as a whole for him.”

Laura Rush, spokeswoman for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, said the Untiedts received the Chamber’s Member of the Year award in 2019.

“Bob was a valued Geneva Chamber member as the owner of Graham”s and 318 Coffeehouse and friend,” Rush stated in an email. “You could always count on a yes and a smile from him whenever support was needed from the chamber and the community as a whole. His positive spirit will continue to inspire all of us at the Chamber.”

Chamber Member of the Year is given to those who have enhanced the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Geneva as a whole through continuing contributions of time and resources in a given year, the chamber had announced in a news release in 2019.

The Untiedts “have been big supporters of the chamber’s festivals and events since joining the Chamber over 25 years ago and of local organizations, giving back thousands in donations and service over their 32 years of business,” according to the chamber’s news release at the time.

Bob excelled at skiing, ice skating, juggling, doing the moonwalk and he could play and write music for nearly any instrument. In fact, Bob met his future wife, Beckie, when she auditioned for lead singer of his band, according to the obituary.

The husband and wife team later went on to lead praise services at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Geneva every Sunday for over a decade, and participated in services at Christ Community Church in St Charles.

Bob also served on the board of directors at The State Bank of Geneva and Retail Confectioner’s International.

“Robert’s lifelong legacy of kindness, gentleness, compassion, generosity and love for his family, employees, friends and the community will always be remembered,” according to the news release.

Visitation will be open to the public – with masks required to attend – from 2 to 6 p.m. March 26, at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road, St. Charles Township.

There will be a private memorial service for the family immediately following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to to TriCity Family Services at tricityfamilyservices.org, or Lazarus House at lazarushouse.net.

The family requests privacy at this time.