Robert D Cassidy

Born October 5, 1935 in Derry, New Hampshire to Vincent and Ruth E. (Shackett) Cassidy, he married Elizabeth K. “Betty” Boeing on June 17, 1967 at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in East Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Kim (Todd) Anderson of Urbana; one son, Greg (Heather) Cassidy of Pekin and three grandchildren, Kayla (Tony) Hnilicka of East Peoria, Lauren Cassidy and Breanna Cassidy, both of Pekin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and two sisters.

He was a United States Navy veteran of the Korean War.

A 1957 graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Pathology, he later earned his Master of Arts Degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Illinois.

Bob worked for OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria as a Speech Pathologist for 13 years, retiring in 1997. He previously worked at Bradley University as an Associate Professor from 1970 to 1984. He was very active in the speech and hearing professional organizations, serving several terms as president of the Peoria Area Speech and Hearing Association. He was a Fellow of the Illinois Speech and Hearing Association and had been 1st Chairman of their Delegate Assembly. From 1987 to 1997 he was a delegate representative to the American Speech and Hearing Association. Bob also trained other speech and hearing professionals at various clinics on the lecture circuit.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where he was a faithful volunteer for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Archbishop Schlarman Council #3507 and William Schaefer American Legion Post 44, both in Pekin.

The summers of his life were always spent at the cabin on Center Pond in Sangerville, Maine. Bob was a dedicated artist and spent his retirement years at his art studio in the Speakeasy in downtown Pekin. He will be remembered for always having a camera on him.

His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church. Cremation will follow the funeral Mass. Private inurnment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in care of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Tazewell County Resource Centers, 21310 Illinois Route 9, Tremont, IL 61568.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com