Robert Wiley Cress – father, son, brother, friend, teacher, gifted musician and writer — died on Thursday, December 6th, 2018. He was 30 years old and a teacher at North Middle School in Rapid City.
Born on January 16th, 1988 to Wiley and Sara Cress in the upper peninsula of Michigan, Rob was our “yooper” baby. From the UP, the family transferred to the Washington, D.C. area and upon Wiley’s retirement from the Navy, moved to Rapid City when Rob was in the 3rd grade. In 2006 he graduated from Stevens High School in and enrolled at South Dakota State University, where he was a much-loved member of Delta Chi and known universally as “Big Rob.” He then changed course, moving on to Austria and various parts of Europe for a bit, and finally Illinois State, where he obtained a Bachelors degree in math education.
Rob was always known for his quick wit, wry humor, brilliant sarcasm, fiery intellect and passion for music – specifically classical piano; his love for the arts, culture and his students. For his subtle quirks and sensitive soul, and most importantly, the love he held for family.
As a young man with both passion and an intense sense of empathy, he lost a battle his family wasn’t aware he was fighting. He lost his fight just a month before his 31st birthday. Rob will be forever remembered by his five-year-old son Samuel Joseph Wiley, who was the light of his life, his parents, his older sisters Pamela Suafali (Ava), Rachel Ebel (Grant) and older brother Scott Cress-Souza, his maternal grandfather, Robert and maternal grandmother, Jane as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Martin and his paternal grandmother, Kirk.
Celebration of Life services will be at 4:00 pm, Thursday December 13th, 2018 at Kirk Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Greenhood officiating.
A reception will follow at Somerset Court. All are welcome.

Should friends desire, donations may be sent to The Front Porch Coalition, dedicated to reducing the incidence of suicide.