Robert Eugene Janssen

Known as just Bob to everyone, he grew up in Oregon, IL and went to high school there. In high school, his love of football and skills in playing it, blossomed. Football was his ticket to higher education, with a full football scholarship providing a way to play in college at Illinois Wesleyan University, and earn his Bachelors of Science degree.

As a teacher, Bob’s entire career was spent in Rockford, IL, dedicated to one building - New Milford School. Beyond his dedication to teaching, he donated many hours and nights serving as a union leader and proud member of the teacher’s union, the Rockford Education Association (REA).

In a lovely twist of fate, he met Ellie, who was a nurse at Rockford Memorial Hospital, only because he was there recovering from a car accident! Bob married Eleanor “Ellie” Elmer on August 19, 1967 and they grew their family with 2 children. He and Ellie looked forward to taking the family on long summer camping road trips, visiting National Parks and funny and unique roadside attractions all along the way. As an example of his idea of fun, many stops were made, while heading out west, at Wall Drug, the tourist attraction (some would say tourist trap…) in South Dakota for the “Free Ice Water!” Over time and many trips, he drove to 49 states, including Alaska, and traveled through all of the Canadian provinces.

He accomplished an incredible personal goal of traveling to all 50 states in 2018, when he made it to Hawaii, with Cyndy his daughter, sharing the accomplishment with him. This was quite an achievement for a man with his love of history and geography, and a fondness for collecting and reading maps.

He continued traveling with Ellie and Cyndy in a custom-designed Sportsmobile camping van. The van was quite an upgrade, from the years of tent camping with the family while the kids were growing up, and he, Ellie, and other family members who joined them, made many memories and took many pictures across the USA!

After Ellie’s untimely passing in 2001, he purchased another new, beloved Sportsmobile van, in order to create new memories, and continued traveling for many years. When camping became too much, Bob passed the van along to his son, but he kept driving - further upgrading to well deserved motel travel! His beloved van lives on, staying within the family, as a tangible tribute to his enjoyment of travel and the outdoors, and reminder of his love of family and friends.

Uniquely, he also collected glass paperweights as simple and shining souvenirs to look at and reflect upon his travels. As with many collections, his assortment kept growing throughout the decades. It grew over time and from his experiences, as he sought his own paperweights out while on his travels as keepsakes. Many more were gifted by others, as cherished Christmas and birthday presents, by those who knew of his fun and colorful collection.

His love of navigating on trips and reading maps, earned him the family title “map master of the universe”. His enthusiasm for traveling by car and doing most of the driving himself, brought him great joy. He and Ellie fell in love with Disney World, after going there the first in the year it opened in Florida. He truly loved treating his family and friends to personally guided trips to the Magic Kingdom.In Bob’s later years, bringing his grandchildren and extended family on trips to Florida brought him joy and happiness. Seeing everyone’s delight and excitement and sharing in their joy of the Disney experience meant the world to him.

His love for football also stayed close to his heart, and he spent much time watching NFL, college, and even high school games, any time that he could. Continuing his theme of long term commitment, he enjoyed living happily and independently, at he and Ellie’s house in Winnebago for 52 continuous years, until he passed suddenly, but peacefully, with his family by his side.

He is survived by his children - Cyndy Janssen, Greg Janssen with his wife Jill, and grandchildren, Alexander and Andrew Janssen. He is also fondly remembered by many extended family members, brothers and sisters in laws, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellie; Sister, Phyllis Trussoni and his parents, Lucille and Conrad.

Flowers are welcome for the funeral, however, for those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, Bob supported the Amyloidosis Foundation, in honor of his wife, Ellie. You may make a donation In Bob and Ellie's name at https://amyloidosis.org/act

Robert’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Sunset Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M., with a visitation prior to the service starting at 12:30 P.M. Burial will take place following services at Rock Grove Union Cemetery in Rock Grove, IL.