Robert Eugene (Bob) Elliott passed away August 12, 2021, at the age of 91, after a ten year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Albion, Illinois on June 1, 1930, to Vera and Virgil Elliott. Bob grew up in Fairfield, Illinois with his two brothers, Vernon Elliott of Marshall, Michigan and Ray Elliott who currently resides in Fairfield with his wife Rosalie.
Bob joined his family in a retail business, Elliott’s Grocery, providing food to the community. He was inspired to spend his working life involved in business finance, sales, marketing and management. Bob’s legacy includes a responsibility to provide for his family, a love of accomplishing goals, a solid work ethic and a competitive nature; traits clearly evident in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bob graduated from Fairfield Community High School in 1948 where he excelled in sports- baseball, basketball, football and track. He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Jean Robbins, in 1950, which he said was “the best decision he ever made”. Bob and Jan graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU). Bob had to leave SIU for service in the Air Force during the Korean War conflict. Jan began her work in Education and by 1954, Bob was hired by the Nation Cash Register (NCR) Company in Carbondale, Illinois where Kimberly was born in 1957. He was a pioneer in the development of data processing. He assisted businesses in using computers for commercial applications. Bob progressed in his work life and the family moved to New York City, then to St. Louis, Missouri, where Michael was born in 1962.
The NCR Corporation moved the family to Dayton, Ohio and then to Framingham, Massachusetts, where they finally settled for twenty one consecutive years. During his thirty nine year employment with NCR, Bob reached yearly sales quotas, which enabled him to travel with Jan to many wonderful cities throughout USA and Europe. Retirement brought Bob and Jan to Kingsmill in Williamsburg, Virginia where Bob further developed a passion for golfing, fishing and entertaining his family and friends. He channeled his work life into the Kawanis Club and received a perfect attendance award for eleven years of serving his community. He served as a Marshall during LPGA golf tournaments and volunteered with Jan at the College of William and Mary. He delighted in the births of his four grandchildren and six great grandchildren and enjoyed being part of their lives.
Bob and Jan are members of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. After Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he was fortunate to be invited into the Respite Care Ministry where he discovered his artistic passion. He began painting art work under their patient direction and enjoyed daily activities which assisted Jan in his care at home.
In his last six years, Bob was cared for by the loving staff at Marina Bay and Senior Corp in Virginia Beach, VA. In his last days, Amedysis sent us hospice professionals that provided palliative and family support for which we will always be grateful.
Bob is survived by his brother, Ray; daughter, Kimberly Odom of Virginia Beach, VA; son, Michael Elliott of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Jennifer Sawyers, Erin Piland, Matthew Logan and Sienna Elliott; and great-grandchildren, Lilly Piland, Beatrice Sawyers, Grace Sawyers, Carmen Logan, Walker Logan, and Ford Elliott Logan of Virginia Beach, VA.
Bob was cremated and a visitation honoring him will be held at Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, IL on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022, from 1-2 PM. His ashes will be interred in Maple Hill Cemetery in Fairfield, IL