Robert Riner "Bob" Hellenga

I happened to be rereading The Italian Lover and decided to look up Robert Hellenga and am so sorry to hear of his passing. Years ago a friend gave me Sixteen Pleasures. I connected with the book on so many levels. For one thing, I had just began a journey into book binding and book arts. Also, my husband grew up in Galesburg and we spent time over the years visiting his Mother. After reading about Robert just now, I´m sure he is greatly missed by many. I offer my heartfelt sympathy. I´m...

Good faculty members inspire many students. That is their job. Outstanding faculty members also inspire other faculty. Exceptional faculty members inspire a much wider community. Bob Hellenga was exceptional.
Bob's books feature people whose lives and occupations are more than interesting. The experiences of Bob's characters help the reader learn more about the experience of living. The reader comes away from one of Bob's books wanting to continue learning about the people Bob has...

As with all great mentors, they are never forgotten and their impactful story gets passed on to the next generations.

In December of 1998, as I was teaching high school English in Omaha and figuring out what I wanted to do next, my wife bought me "The Fall of a Sparrow," and it made the decision for me--I would go to graduate school in CLASSICS (the discipline of the main character of "Fall"), despite not having had Latin or Greek in six years. Occasionally great books do this to people. I got my Ph.D. (with a dissertation inspired by a guy named Bob Connor, on whom more soon), and got a job in North...

I am deeply saddened by Robert's passing. We crossed paths several times. He was a presenter at Fremd High School's Writers Week, which I helped coordinate. He lugged his guitar along and signed books with a sketch of a guitar and enchanted the young audience with his stories full of mystery and kindness and grace. That's what I think of when I think of Robert, his quiet and gentle manner, his kindness. When my first book came out, he graciously agreed to write a few words about it, no small...

I want to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. I read The Sixteen Pleasures back in 1996 - it was kind of an escape for me, a mom of a two year old, that had spent 8 years of my life in Puglia (Southern Italy) as military brat and honorary Italian. I always looked forward to his next book, connecting with him over the years through email and also sending him two books to sign, which I will treasure! The last line of The Sixteen Pleasures means so much to me - because it took me to...

Ginny, I feel so lucky to have had Bob in my life, and what a gift he left with this obituary. I've never seen such an obituary which of course he knew would be the case. Please look at your email when you have a chance, I wrote you several days ago. love, Karen

My deepest sympathies to your family Virginia. He was a wonderful force of nature with a great spirit. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Cathy Walters and Ken Exum

Virginia, I miss you. Please know that I ask praying for you during this difficult time.