Gerald C. Antrobus

Gerald C. Antrobus died peacefully in Concord, NH on March 14, 2024 at the age of 77, not far from his adopted hometown of Hopkinton, NH and an inspirational life’s journey from the Illinois plains of his birth.  He is survived by his wife and best friend, Janice; his children, Elizabeth and Andrew; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Grant; and his brother, Thomas.

Born in Yorkville, IL, Gerald was a fiercely proud graduate of the University of Illinois College of Engineering.  That education launched a remarkably successful career, crisscrossing the nation to develop and manage large-scale construction projects for the Procon and Wheelabrator corporations.  By instinct and training, Gerald saw few problems in life that could not be conquered by the application of properly engineered hard work, forethought, and relentless execution. 

Gerald’s regard for an engineer’s training belied an appreciation for history, art, and the humanities.  He read deeply in American military history, finding parallels between campaigns of the past and his own problems to be solved.  He admired many commanders, but was equally, if not more, impressed with the grit and determination of the foot soldier – a sensibility that was manifest in many areas of his life.  He was an All-Conference lineman in high school and insisted that life’s game was won or lost in the trenches.  

He found artistic expression in the solitude of his woodshop, where he was no casual craftsman.  There, his engineer’s insistence on precision and form merged with an artist’s eye to conjure beauty from raw materials – usually with a golden retriever as witness, amid the shavings.

He was, thoroughly, an American.  His direct descendants arrived at Philadelphia in 1700, and he took inspiration from the nation’s history and its heroes and triumphs.  He spent extended periods of time working and living in almost every region of the country. Though he was unmistakably of the Midwest, he ultimately chose to live in New Hampshire and identified with the state’s motto of self-reliance.

He cherished all of the following: 

His wife’s cooking; the Chicago Cubs; the Fighting Illini; the 1985 Chicago Bears; John McCain; John Wayne; Willie Nelson; the Lark Ascending concerto; the friendship of Generals Sherman & Grant; extended conversations with his family; his dogs; every season on the calendar; Ken Burns’ The Civil War; his parents; a good plan; wood fires; Dick Butkus; hitting someone on every play; the 46 Defense; the smell of coffee and sanded wood; Sunday morning breakfasts; good manners; coats and ties; Chief Illiniwek; veterans; his brother; butter pecan ice cream; Planes Trains & Automobiles; Dr. Pol; Gibbs from NCIS; Foyle’s War; the Yorkville Foxes football team; real country music; a well-written engineering document; his grandchildren; Ernie Banks; winning; loyalty; “on time and on budget”; and clear and specific product instructions.  

He did not care for the Ohio State University Buckeyes or decorating the Christmas tree.

Above all, his greatest love was his family.  He put nothing ahead of them and no concern of any family member was too small for his attention, love, and full-throated support.  His was a staggering presence and he is missed.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any charitable donations in his name be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue in Hudson, MA; or the Kendall County Community Food Pantry in Yorkville, IL.