Russell Webb

URBANA – Russell Robert "Bob" Webb, 97, of Bellingham, Wash., formerly of Urbana, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning (Sept. 1, 2014) with family at his side.

Bob was born June 27, 1917, in a farmhouse near Joliet. He graduated from Plainfield High School where he excelled in academics and sports. He enjoyed telling stories of playing basketball with wood stoves on the corner of the court. Bob learned farming from his father at a time when they plowed with a horse, and won many ribbons for showing cattle at the Illinois state and county fairs.

Bob was married to the love of his life, Kathryn "Kay" Mae Hunter for nearly 60 years. Bob and Kay lived much of their life in Ogden, where they raised their children, Sharon, Michael and Roger.

Bob and Kay loved to travel, taking their family camping to Rocky Mountain National Park many times and to Lake Superior, Maine and many other state and national parks.

Bob served two years in the Pacific during World War II, returning to Ogden with Kay hospitalized with polio. He lovingly cared for her during her recovery and continued his devotion throughout their long lives together as they raised their family.

Soon afterwards he joined the Hunter Lumber Co. (later Hunter-Webb Lumber Co.), with his father-in-law and three brothers-in-law, all becoming lifelong friends.

Bob was active in his church, the Ogden Lions Club, the Ogden Volunteer Fire Department, and served as a board member of the Ogden First National Bank.

Bob and Kay later moved to Clark-Lindsey Retirement Village (Urbana) where he continued to live after Kay passed away at age 82. In 2011, he moved to Spring Creek Retirement Center (Bellingham, Wash.) to be near son Michael and daughter-in-law Barbara.

After 97 years, Bob leaves many dear family and friends in central Illinois, the Pacific Northwest, and other places Kay and he wintered and visited.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay; and daughter, Sharon Webb Peterson; his parents, Russell and Ada; sister, Dorothy Myers; and brothers, Richard "Dick" and William "Bill."

He is survived by sons, Michael (Barbara) Webb of Bellingham, Wash., Roger (Susanne Elrod) of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Melissa (Rick) Kennedy of Albuquerque, N.M., Tim (Ann) Howell of Houston, Texas, Jeff (Genevieve) Howell of Seattle, Wash., Kate Webb (Matt) Morretta of Austin, Texas, and Daniel (Aubrey Weeks) Webb of Seattle, Wash.; and great-grandchildren, Ben and Robbie Howell and Gina Kennedy. All will forever smile as they remember his thrill in beating them at pool, even at 97!

The family expresses special appreciation to Phyllis Baribeau for her compassion and caregiving to Bob, and to the staff at Spring Creek Retirement Center for their caregiving and assistance.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date in Champaign, where Bob will be interred beside Kay.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to: National Park Foundation, 1201 Eye St., NW, Suite 550B, Washington, DC 20005, (nationalparks.org).