Robert W. “Bob” Kimble Jr., 92, of Galesburg, died at 5:42 a.m. Monday, February 10, 2020, in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born August 4, 1927, in Chicago, the son of Robert W. and Genevieve M. (Schulz) Kimble Sr. He married Jean R. Allenfort on September 27, 1947, in Chicago. She preceded him in death on November 26, 2016 after 69 years of marriage.
He is survived by four children, Fred (Kathy) Kimble of West Bend, Wisconsin, Ron (Jan) Kimble of Charlotte, North Carolina, Scott (Stannie) Kimble of Keller, Texas, and Peggy (Sam) Mangieri of Lake Bracken; eight grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jamie Kimble.
Bob was raised and educated in Chicago, where he quit high school at the age of 17 to work full time for the Mack Truck Company in the parts department. He was called to serve his country 1945 by serving for two years in the United States Navy during World War II, stationed in Guam. He returned to work for Mack Truck until being called into active duty once again in 1951 during the Korean War. He was stationed in the Mediterranean aboard the USS Wasp. After being discharged a second time, Bob went to work for Burlington Truck Lines for 21 years. This employment brought the family to Galesburg. Bob retired as Director of Fleet Maintenance. He then worked as an agent for Country Companies for 15 years, retiring in 1990.
Bob was very involved with his community over the years. He was a member of Central Congregational Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees and was a Deacon, VFW Post 2257, American Legion Post 285, where he was on the Honor Guard for several years, Galesburg Noon Rotary Club, and the Alpha Masonic Lodge #155. Bob also was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America, where he served in various capacities, both locally and district wide.
Bob served his community as a member of the Galesburg City Council, Mayor of Galesburg from 1977 to 1981, and was a Knox County Board Member for many years. He was active with the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce and was named the Thomas B. Herring Community Service Award recipient in 1995. He also volunteered with the United Way of Knox County for many years and was instrumental in the entity changing from the Community Chest to the United Way.
Cremation will be accorded. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jim Ecklund officiating. Military honors will be offered before private family burial in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, 1850 E. Third St., Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28204, www.jkffc.org. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
