George R. Pinkstaff

Some people measure their lives in years. Bob Pinkstaff measured his in stories shared, lessons taught, and people helped. On August 8, 2025, at 88 11/12 years young, Bob passed away peacefully. Born to Charles and Beulah (Foss) Pinkstaff in 1936, growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois, Bob discovered early that life's greatest adventures often began with a corn cob, a good story and a willing audience. After graduating from Lawrenceville High School, he headed to Eastern Illinois University, where he combined his love of athletics with his gift for numbers, earning a degree in Physical Education with a minor in Math. On November 9, 1957, Bob married Kay McLerran. Together, they had three daughters: Barb (Gary) Patarozzi, Terry (Mike) Kratzer, and Cindy (Sylvain) Pinkstaff, who in turn blessed them with six grandchildren: Laura (Chad) Mueller, Eric (Andrea) Newman, Monica (Kevin) Stewart, Matt (Jen) Prombo, Mackenzie, and AJ Miller. The family tree kept flourishing with nine great-grandchildren-Josh, Addy, Michael, Caity, Hannah, Alayna, Lily, Emma, and Izzy-and four great-great-grandchildren: Mia, Ronnie, Charlotte, and Elliot. Bob's favorite title wasn't "teacher" or "coach"-it was "Granddaddy," and he wore it with supreme pride. Bob spent over 20 years teaching at Morris Community High School, Joliet Junior College and his kitchen table. He found a second career helping people find just the right home, working for Grettencord Realty and later Advantage Realty, Bob approached every endeavor with the enthusiasm of someone who loved helping others. His final professional chapter was perhaps his most fitting: CEO of Granddaddy Day Care, where his decades of nurturing young minds found their perfect expression in caring for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Teaching them how to "milk the cows and feed the chickens" all from lawn chairs in the backyard. Bob's superpower wasn't just his ability to solve complex problems or sink a difficult putt-at every game, dance recital, play and concert, you could spot Bob in the crowd, beaming and ready to regale anyone within earshot about his "Best Fam Damily." Now he joins his parents, Charles and Beulah, and his siblings Paul, Bill, and Betty. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Bob's memory by supporting their "We Walk for Grandma K" team in the Chicago Walk to End Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=18567&pg=team&team_id=955370 A celebration of Bob's life will be held on Saturday, August 16,2025 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am at the UC Davis-Callahan Funeral Home in Morris, officiated by Celebrant Carol Walker. A visitation for Bob will follow the service from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bob will be laid to rest at Sample Cemetery. An online guestbook has been made for the family, where you may sign the guestbook, share memories and photographs. You can access this by visiting the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris, IL.