Robert Lee "Bob" Colgrove

1925 - 2017

Robert Lee "Bob" Colgrove, 92-going-on-93, of Hull, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at Willow Care Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Hannibal, Mo.

Bob was born July 19, 1925, in a house in Hull, a son of Raymond Ramage Colgrove and Nettie Lavita Bridge Colgrove. He married Betty Jean Duncan on Aug. 12, 1950, in Salem, Ark. She survives.

Bob was a 1943 graduate of his beloved Hull High School, and played varsity baseball and basketball. He attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He began farming with his father early in life and farmed with his father and then his sons until his retirement. In the winter, he also was the manager of the Hull Legion Bowling Alley for decades. He served in township government for most of his life, in many capacities from road commissioner to supervisor, and was recognized for over 50 years of service in township government. He also served his community on citizens' advisory committees and in a variety of other ways.

For most of his adult life he was a member of the Hull Lions Club and the Hull Methodist Church. He was also a long-term member of the Hull Masonic Lodge and Hull History Lives, Inc.

He received a number of honors and recognitions throughout his life, including, along with his wife, Betty, Grand Marshall of the Hull Parade. For many years, he was the emcee of the Hull Picnic. In 1971, he was co-chair with Jim Reed of the Hull Centennial Committee. He was formally recognized in 1994 at the statehouse in Springfield by the governor of Illinois and the Illinois House and Senate for his leadership during the Flood of '93.

He was a great sports fan, and the St. Louis Cardinals have lost one of the greatest fans in all of Cardinal Nation. Bob loved his hometown, and was a walking history book on the entire past of Hull. He had a great sense of humor and was a kind, compassionate man. He loved the people of his community, which really extended all over Pike County and beyond. He loved the wonderful neighbors that he had, in the Hull bottoms and in the town of Hull. He cherished his many friends, and his dear family, especially the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Betty. He loved people. He loved life. He was one of the great guys in the world, and he will be missed by all.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include three sons, Kim (Rilee Sue) of Hull, Kip of rural Liberty and Kamron (Alison) of Urbana; four grandchildren, Elise Colgrove and Nora Colgrove of Urbana, Bobette Clowers (Lonnie) of Manistique, Mich., and Terrie Buchanan (Emily) of Columbia, Mo.; four great-grandchildren, Morgan White (Lonnie) and Tyler Hill (Emily) of Pittsfield, Brock Hill (Brittni) of Nebo and Blake Clowers of Belview; six great-great-grandchildren, Rilee White, Lane White, Brielynn White, Bailey Hill and Paisley Hill, all of Pittsfield, and Macie Hill of Nebo; along with many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

SERVICES: 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Hull Methodist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Duncan, Brian Evans, Lance Meyer, Shawn Meyer, Keith Colgrove, Charles Colgrove, Lane Colgrove, Mace Colgrove and Glen Phillips.

VISITATION: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church.

MEMORIALS: Hull History Lives Inc.

ARRANGEMENTS: Niebur Funeral Home, Barry.

WEBSITE: nieburfh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.