Robert Albert Pearson, 90, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 10:59 P.M. Monday, June 16, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. He was born on September 20, 1934, in Wellington, IL, to Albert and Hattie (Cauble) Pearson. He married June Weber of Ambia, IN, on December 27, 1954. She preceded him in death. He later married Ellen Heying in October 2005, and she also preceded him in death.
Robert began his career as a farmer in Ambia, IN. He received both his BS and MS degrees from Purdue and was on the Purdue staff for nine years. Starting in 1973, he was a Professional Farm Manager with the Northern Trust Company in Chicago and lived in Naperville, IL. In 1986, his division of the trust department was sold to CAPS and he continued with them and moved to Champaign in 1994 to head that office. He retired in 2000 but continued on as a real estate broker until December 2014.
Robert was a member of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers and held the Accredited Farm Manager designation (AFM). He served on various committees in that organization, and he was a member of both the Illinois and Indiana chapter. He was a former member and director of the Chicago Farmers, and the Agricultural Economist Club of Chicago. He was also a member of Alpha Zeta, the Agricultural honorary.
He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and a former member of the Congregational Council. He had a lifelong interest in Genealogy and History. He was a charter member of both The Iroquois County Genealogy Society and The Fox Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member of the Champaign County Genealogy Society, the Iroquois County Genealogy Society, and both the Piankeshaw and Fox Valley chapters of Sons of the American Revolution.
His family was the most important part of his life. He was always interested and supportive of what they would be doing, and he enjoyed spending time with them. He enjoyed the many trips he and June took with Kay, Mark, and Sarah when they were growing up, and visited over 35 states on those visits. If you asked him about his family, he would proudly tell you of their latest activities and perhaps pull out a picture. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities.
Robert is survived by two daughters, Kay (Dave) Haughey of Ft. Collins, CO, and Sarah (David) Garcia of St. Charles, IL; daughter-in-law, Eden Pearson; and eight grandchildren, Laura (Geoff) Haughey Moore, Dan Haughey, Mike Pearson (partner, Kelly Clancy and her daughter, Martha), Katie (Matt) Pearson Baltes, Betsy Pearson, Ellie (Austin) Pearson Noble, Gavin Garcia, and Emma Garcia. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Kingston Mark, Lyra Jane, Vivian Caroline-Rose, Aristotle Robert, Orson Matthew, and Ingrid Rose.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Mark and his parents, Albert and Hattie Pearson.
Visitation will be held 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 12:00 P.M. Saturday at the funeral home, with Rev. Dustin Wells officiating. Burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston, with Pastor Chris Repp from Grace Lutheran Church in Champaign, IL, officiating the burial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church food pantry, 313 South Prospect Ave, Champaign, IL 61820 or the Prairie States Christian Service Camp, P.O. Box 353, Watseka, IL 60970.
