ROBERT BUTLER

Robert Eugene “Bob” Butler, 90 of Dekalb, formerly of Rockford, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Aperion Care, Dekalb.  He was born on May 13, 1933 in Bloomington, the middle child of Harold E. and Frances (Thompson) Butler. He graduated Bloomington Trinity High School in 1951, then joined the United States Air Force and served in Germany during the Occupation until being honorably discharged in 1955.  Bob married Carol Rucinski at Court Street United Methodist Church in Rockford on July 2, 1966.  He worked as an engineer at Ingersoll Milling Machine in Rockford until retiring in the early 1990s.

Bob is survived by his wife, son Eric (Danielle) Butler, daughter Kaylyn (Scott) Conover, and grandchildren Maggie (Kevin) Riemer, Kyle Inman, Zaren Conover, and Jaden Conover, He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Marilyn Jean Armes; brother John Butler; cherished nephew Melvin “Les” Armes; and granddaughter Olivia Conover.

Bob lived the life of an ordinary, quiet man, yet had experienced extraordinary times and moments.  He shared his memories of post-Depression life and memories of World War II.  As the son of a railroad man, he loved trains and train museums and shared that love with his kids and grandkids.  He told stories of childhood illness getting their entire home “Quarantined” by the health department.  He enjoyed his time in Germany and took every opportunity too enjoy German food and beer.  Bob’s love of knowledge made him fond of reading, going to museums and watching PBS. 

He always wanted to learn something he didn’t know before.  Bob lived by lists and projects, in spite of not always being able to follow them through to completion.  Had he been born in a different generation; he may have been diagnosed ADHD.  He was a Christian man who read the Bible five times over.  Bob and Carol built their dream home in the early 1990s after his retirement.  He wired the entire house during the construction, built in custom oak cabinetry and shelves, and finished the basement living space.  Until he suffered a stroke in 2016, Bob was always moving, always going somewhere, always offering up everything he had.  He thought of everyone but himself until his dying breath. Respecting Bob and Carol’s final wishes, Bob has been cremated and no service will be held at this time.  Bob and Carol will have their cremains interred concurrently, whenever in the future that may occur.  A memorial service will be held in the future that celebrates them both.  Until then, Bob loved hummingbirds. 

In lieu of memorials, we hope that next spring, you will hang and maintain hummingbird feeder in your yard and remember Bob fondly. Bob’s family expressly wishes to thank the wonderful caring team at ProMedica Hospice that assisted Bob in his final days; Anderson Funeral Home for accommodating our needs; and Aperion Care Dekalb for assisting in Bob’s care these past four years.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of ROBERT BUTLER, please visit our floral store.