Robert E. “Bob” Rote, 84, of Roscoe, IL, passed away, Saturday, September 24, 2022. He was born November 24, 1937 in Belvidere, IL, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Magdaline (Brown) Rote. Bob grew up on a farm near Kirkland, IL and attended Canada School until 8th grade. He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1955. Bob worked at Burton Motors in Belvidere during that time and met his wife. He married the love of his life, Lois G. Sellers on August 3, 1957. He was employed at Woodward Governor for over 33 years. After his retirement, he drove truck for Woodward. Bob and Lois enjoyed horse back riding in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois with the Valley Trail Riders. During one meeting of the VTR, the U.S. President, George H.W. Bush’s limo, was parked at the fire station where the meeting was held. Bob and Lois made many trips by car and flying to Arizona to visit her mother. After Lois’ death, Bob traveled to 49 states in a motor home. The 50th state was Alaska, on an Inside Passage cruise.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois and by his beloved yellow lab, Heidi. Bob is survived by his four children, Julie Borg, Neil (Kelly) Rote, Robert O. (Barbara Gezzi) Rote and James (Pat) Rote; seven grandchildren, Nicole Cummings, Andrea Backstrom, Andrew Borg, Kayla Rote, Colin Rote, Patrick Rote and Tyler Rote; great-grandchildren, Olivia Cummings and Lillianna Backstrom; and his best friend, Beulah "Be" Swanson.
A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115 with a funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department. To share a memory, sunsetfhmemgardens.com.
