Robert R Hayenga

Robert was born on April 12th 1951, the second youngest of five children to Robert Raymond Hayenga Sr of Oregon, IL and Alice Mae Hogan of Beloit, WI.

Bob, as everyone called him, spent the first few years of his life in Argyle, IL, where he raised homing pigeons as a very young boy, before moving with his family to Rockton, IL where he spent the majority of his life thereafter. Growing up Bob loved adventure and staying active. One of his favorite memories as a kid was spending time on his Grandparents resort in Hayward, WI fishing. Bob was also a proud graduate of Hononegah Community High School and a star athlete on both the schools basketball, golf, and football teams, along with being a member of the schools chess club. He also played baseball.

Robert came from a strong military family. His father, Robert Sr joined the army and served during World War II. His brothers John and David, as well as his son Robert III and his son in law Doug, were all in the navy. After high school Bob himself served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam war. He was stationed first in San Antonio TX where he completed his basic training, and later was stationed permanently in Minot, North Dakota. While in the service he held many jobs including painting missile sites.

Bob married Julie Hansen at the Old Stone Church in early 1970. Together they had two children. Bob and Julie began their marriage living in Rockton, but moved to Cheyenne, WY when Bob joined the Air Force. While in Cheyenne, Bob discovered he had a fond interest in both Fire Sciences and Criminal Justice, studying both subjects at Laramie Community College. After the Air Force, Bob moved back to Rockton, IL where he met his second wife Donna Lee Marshall. On October 13th 1984 at Argyle presbyterian church in Argyle, IL the two of them were married. They had one child together.

Over the years Bob held many jobs after the Air Force, his favorites of which were warehouse supervisor at the old Derks Foods in Rockford, IL, and Officer at the Rockford, IL Juvenile Detention Center.

Bob never met a stranger as they say, and was always the life of the party. He could often be found either telling a bad “Dad” joke or out on the dance floor busting a move. Some of his favorite things to do were get together with his friends, sing karaoke, play cards, enjoy a bonfire on a nice night, or beat his daughter at Chess and Monopoly. Bob was also a lover of the outdoors, his TV, and anything having to do with sports. On a nice summer day you could find him either walking his dog in the park, golfing, sitting at his favorite bench by the river, or BBQing on his patio. If there was a Bears game or a Cubs game on though, he was always either at the ballpark, or in the living room in his favorite recliner watching the games.

Robert leaves behind his wife of 40 years Donna (Marshall) Hayenga; his daughter, Lisa-Marie Hayenga (Justin) of St Louis, MO, his daughter, Laura (Doug) Margheim of Cheyenne, WY; his grandchildren, Brittnie (Bruce) Karn and Jack Margheim both of Cheyenne, WY; and his great grandchildren, Bryce and Joshua Karn and Julie Margheim. He also leaves behind his sisters, Judy (Jim) Balsley and Jackie Drummond (Russell); his brother in law, Ralph (Elaine) Marshall; his aunt, Isabel “Sis” Crowley; and his uncles, John (Mary) Halderson and Edward Rau; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, close friends, and his beloved dog, Maggie.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alice; his son, Robert Raymond Hayenga III; great grandson, Allen Karn; his brothers, David and John Hayenga; sister in law, Patricia Marshall; and his grandparents, Ike and Isabel Halderson and John and Viola Hayenga; as well as his grandfather, Charles Hogan; and several aunts and uncles.

Visitation for Robert will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens 8800 N. Alpine Rd. Machesney Park, IL on May 2nd 2025 at 1:00 pm with a 2:00 pm funeral including military honors and entombment directly following. A celebration of life will be held at Rockton Inn 102 E Main St. Rockton, IL at 5pm on Friday May 2nd 2025.

The family would like to thank both the Rockford and Madison VA, Mercy Hospice Rockford, Beloit Regional Hospice, and Alden Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for all their amazing services, care, and compassion during Robert’s battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in Robert’s name to one of the following charities: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Beloit Regional Hospice, or the Disabled American Veterans foundation.