Robert "Bob" Rodell Brown

Bob was born on May 18, 1943 in Dayton, Ohio. He was adopted by his parents Vivian (Cox) Brown and Albert Brown and grew up in Stewardson, Illinois. After Bob graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in 1961, he went on to study mathematics at Eastern Illinois University. Bob met his first wife, Jean Hawickhorst (deceased, 1982) at school and they married in 1965, two weeks after he graduated with his bachelor’s degree. Together they had two children, Beth and Rebecca. Bob also completed a Master’s Degree in computer programming at Illinois State University in the 70s.

Bob worked for over 20 years for Caterpillar, both in Peoria and Mt. Joy, Iowa, as a computer programmer. After Bob was widowed at just 39 years old, he met Mary Marchik and they wed in 1983 at their home in Long Grove, Iowa. Dana and Bobby joined us to make our own “Brown Bunch” family. Being the wise man that he was, Bob added two bedrooms and another full bathroom to the house, sacrificing his wood shop for his family. In 1985 the family moved back to the Peoria area and made their home out at Lake Camelot. Later, Bob also worked at The Franklin in Springfield, Illinois and he retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield in Columbia, South Carolina. In retirement, Bob enjoyed golfing and cards at the Woodlands Golf Club, and fishing trips whenever it could be arranged.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, wife Jean, and son-in-law, Dan Ash. He is survived by wife Mary, daughter Beth (Tom), daughter Rebecca (Chad), stepdaughter Dana (Dan-deceased), stepson Bobby (Claire), and his adoring grandchildren Thomas Haugeberg, Chip Langford, Jackson Langford, Monica Ash, Samantha Ash, Lulu Ellsworth, and Levi Kelly.

Visitation will be at Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 6-8pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 12pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. John Neumann Church. Bob’s faith was very important to him.