Roscoe Pershing

Roscoe Louis Pershing Champaign - Roscoe Louis Pershing, 85, of Champaign died peacefully on Friday (Nov. 7, 2025) at home surrounded in love by his wife and children. Faith United Methodist Church, Champaign, will host a celebration of life service on Nov. 14 at noon. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon, also at the church. Memorials can be made to Faith United Methodist Church, Cunningham Children's Home or the University of Illinois Foundation designated for the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department's Bauling-Pershing Scholarship Fund (ABE, Bauling-Pershing). Roscoe was born to John Carl and Mabel Harriet (Morris) on Oct. 8, 1940, near Washington, Ind. Growing up on the farm and being one of 10 children taught him patience, gratitude, ingenuity and perseverance. He graduated as valedictorian from Washington High School in 1958 and has college degrees in engineering from Vincennes University, Purdue University and the University of Illinois. He received the first Ph.D. degree ever conferred by agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois. Roscoe's professional career included almost 20 years with John Deere in engineering, research and leadership roles. He was a primary expert in vehicle dynamics and simulation. He started teaching at Black Hawk College, where he refined his teaching skills and focused on effectively reaching each student. Roscoe became department head of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Illinois in 1985 and later associate dean of engineering, retiring in 2004. He helped make ABE an admired department throughout the country and contributed strongly to improved engineering education as associate dean. His Executives in the Technological World class was extremely popular for senior undergraduate students. In retirement, he remained a dedicated supporter of both the department and the College of Engineering throughout his life, maintaining beautiful relationships with emeriti professors and work colleagues. Roscoe made anyone he met feel comfortable and had an effortless way of talking with friends and strangers alike. His open-mindedness, kindness and quick humor helped him and his wife, Ann, form many friendships. His ability to connect with loved ones and maintain friendships through decades was admirable. Roscoe was a faithful Christian and member of Faith United Methodist Church. He loved leading and teaching the Discovery Sunday school class. His Christian example was his best teaching method. He loved singing and participated in the Chancel Choir at Faith and at past churches in Moline and Ottumwa, Iowa. He sang in men's quartets in Moline and with University of Illinois colleagues. He served faithfully on technical society boards and community groups, providing optimistic and forward-thinking leadership while enjoying the wonderful people with which he served. Roscoe loved playing organ and experimenting with sounds and techniques on popular tunes, musicals and hymns. He enjoyed working and fiddling with personal computers and staying technically adept. He was an avid Illini sports fan, but what he loved most was cheering and supporting his children and grandchildren with his wife, Ann, in sports, band, plays and events. His wife and family deeply love and appreciate him for his hard work, joyous sense of humor and generosity. Roscoe was preceded in death by siblings, Everett, Dorothy, Wilbur, Don, Ruth and Mary Ann. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Annette; three children; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren, Michael (Betsy) of Washington, Ill., [Drew (Tia), Brian, Sam], Pamela Rees (John) of Williams Bay, Wis., [Evan (Rachel), Daniel (Hannah), Kara], and Kimberly Cortez (Victor) of Indianapolis [Teagan, Willa, Orion]; and siblings, Helen Wiesler of Bloomington, Ind., June Harshberger of Kingwood, W.Va., and Stephen Pershing (Carla) of Huntingburg, Ind. His great-grandchildren are Josephine, Amelia, Christian (Drew and Tia) and Nolan (Evan and Rachel). The family wishes to thank the nurses, doctors and caregivers at Carle Foundation Hospital and Hospice. Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.