Name: Visitation for Robert Swisher
Start: 2023-01-03T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-03T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory

URBANA - Robert Swisher, 91, of Urbana died Sunday (Dec. 18, 2022).

Visitation for the Navy veteran will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Road, U.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News-Gazette from Dec. 20 to Dec. 31, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Swisher

10 Entries

Jennifer Eissfeldt

January 3, 2023

Many, many decades ago Bob Swisher was the father figure I needed. He stepped in when our family was in need and helped to carry us through. He was always the greatest of guys, ready to greet us with laughter and a joke.
A few memories that bring a smile to my face:
He had candy on his coffee table in one of those plastic bank tubes. The kind that shoot inside to outside in pneumatic tubes. Cool, right?
He sent me fancy chocolates on Valentine´s Day in Junior High-a confirmation I was treasured.
He was certainly the first sober guy I knew. And he made it look easy and amazing!
I remember going with my brother and mom to White Horse on Saturday mornings for breakfast. To sit amongst those folks and hear those conversations was a treasure.
I had a PT high school job working at Abana Press and I´m pretty sure I spent some time smashing pennies on the railroad tracks out back.

I have a book that includes all of his Abana Press logos and it always brings a smile to my face.
Oh and walking through PACA, wow!
As a kid this certainly contributed to my love for treasure-finding, aka going to auctions and flea markets.

Bob-for all you did seen and un-seen--thank you.

Mark Gendreau

December 26, 2022

Bob was one of local recovery Oldtimers. These people are like heroes to many of us. Although we are never supposed to put anyone on a pedestal. He was a humble, friendly man, and never made any newcomer feel lesser than him. His favorite saying was " once you have been sober as long as you drank, you can talk as long as you want". He will be missed.

Ellen Beattie

December 26, 2022

Bob was the highlight when visiting PACA. Such a lovely man. My heartfelt condolences to his wife, family and friends.

Kenneth Maag

December 24, 2022

I got to know Bob thru his son Jedd while working at Depke Welding. When I first met him, he came thru the door as quietly as one can. Found out he was Jedd's father and he was a "shipmate" from his stint in the Navy. We both had quite a time razzing Jedd about Tiger Woods being the best the golfing world ever had. Jedd would never buy it. We did this for many years when Tiger proved his greatness and Jedd remained clueless. Bob never talked about all his accomplishments, which were many and the many people he mentored with his wisdom and vast amounts of experiences. I never missed his articles with the News-Gazette on antiquing. He worked hard with PACA and it showed how much he cared for the organization and how he was always on the lookout for anything that might help that organization.
Not knowing him as well or as long as so many, many people have known him, I got to know him in a very special way. He was like the "E.F. Hutton" of days of old. When E.F.Hutton spoke, everybody listened, because he did have something worth listening to. I shall miss my old shipmate and so proud to have had the honor of knowing someone worth knowing.

Mike Waller

December 23, 2022

A MAN OF MANY TRAVELS & THOUGHTS, WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU!

Benny and Lori Dow

December 22, 2022

Several years back we jumped at the chance of going to an auction in Newton Illinois with Bob and Betty. We get in my truck and battle whiteout blizzard conditions getting there. It cleared and we got there and was one of the best auctions we have ever attended. Bob and Betty working together bought one of the nicest plantstand/newel posts we have seen !

Jan Orr

December 22, 2022

I worked part-time as a graphic designer for Bob at Abana Press in the early 1980's. He was a delight to work with, and in the many years since, always enjoyed chatting with him any time our paths would cross. I was a regular 'attendee' at the Gordyville Antique show every year in December, and always knew I would find Bob there. Loved his News Gazette column. A life well lived.

Scott Eissfeldt

December 22, 2022

About 35 years ago, Bob was good to my mom when our family needed it. He was a positive male role model when I needed one. I loved pouring through the logo books at Abana Press. In one of his warehouses, he let me help organize his wooden letterpress blocks. He showed me how a printing press works, too. We played a lot of gin rummy, and he taught me so much.

I felt honored when Bob and mom invited me, a 16YO kid at the time, to drink coffee with the crew on Saturday mornings.

I have so many positive memories of Bob, and my world is a better place as a result of him.

I'm only only one of many people Bob helped. It was obvious everywhere we went how many people knew him. He made so many people's lives better in so many ways.

Thanks for everything, Bob!

Alan Bean

December 21, 2022

I´ve known Bob for years bought business cards and other things that he specifically produced saw Bob at many auctions thru the years sometimes I would buy things at auctions and wouldn´t have room to bring them home in my car Bob always had room in car or truck to haul them for me.
Bob was always a good friend and he will be missed.

Alan Bean

Judi Kutzko

December 21, 2022

Bob was the best boss I ever had! He hired me as a typesetter at Anvil Press ages ago, and it was great fun. Both of us were parents of sons and would compare notes about the care and feeding of these unique beings. RIP, Bob....you'll be missed.

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