PLANO, Texas - He was a man who loved his family and his University of Illinois. Robert W. "Bob" Evans, 87, passed away on Sept. 27, 2009. He was born in Eldorado on July 13, 1922, the son of Morgan and Grace Evans. He has one brother, George. Bob was married to Geraldine (Geri) Rogers on March 19, 1943. She preceded him in death in 2004. The couple has three children, Dr. Bob Evans of Solvang, Calif., and two daughters, Dr. Nancy Connors of Plano, Texas, and Cindy Henry of Richardson, Texas. Bob has nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He valued education and was especially proud of the fact that all his children and grandchildren have college degrees. Bob graduated from Eldorado High School in 1940 and attended Murray State University for two years. He moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a fingerprint technician for the FBI and met his wife, Geri. They were married by the chaplain of the Senate in March 1943. Bob was inducted into the Army and trained in field artillery at Camp Roberts and Pendleton in California. He rose to the rank of sergeant and served in World War II with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy. He was awarded three battle stars and a Bronze Star medal, receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. After the war Bob entered the University of Illinois on the GI Bill to complete his journalism degree. The couple lived in the Stadium Terrace married student housing and Bob received his B.A. in 1948. He became the editor of a weekly newspaper in McLeansboro. Nine years later the family moved back to Champaign in 1957. Bob worked in information services at the University of Illinois and received his M.S. in Journalism in 1967. At the time of his retirement in 1984, he was Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Administrative Services. In 2004 the couple moved to the Dallas area to be near their two daughters. Bob was a vital member of the Champaign community for five decades, serving in many clubs and activities. He was especially proud of his work in Kiwanis and served as governor of the Illinois Eastern Iowa district from 1988-89. He was a recurring president of the Illini Rebounder's Club from 1981-89 and served in many capacities at the First United Methodist Church. He volunteered in the adult literacy program and enjoyed helping adults learn to read. At different points in his career he hosted a weekly radio program featuring university events and was a contributing feature writer for the News Gazette. He was an avid Fighting Illini fan and loved to travel, dance, and read. A memorial service will be held at the Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois, Urbana, on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Bob's honor to the Robert W. Evans Memorial, University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 W. Green, Urbana, IL 61801.