Dr. Robert M. Halleen's Obituary
On April 21, 2026, Dr. Robert M. Halleen went to be with his Lord and Savior in Lakeland, Florida, following a struggle with declining health over the past couple of years. He was born on June 26, 1933 to Gertrude (nee Schmidt) and E. Norman Halleen. Robert was the first of three children; with siblings Barbara Moore and Richard Halleen completing the family. Robert’s high school years were occupied with sports and part-time work, with scholastic performance making him the recipient of the John Morse academic scholarship which allowed him to attend the University of Michigan. Robert felt that his primary achievement during his tenure at Michigan was marrying Dawn Ramsey which was the start of sixty years of life devoted to family, church and career. Dawn passed away in 2015 following a significant history of medical difficulties.
Graduation from Michigan was followed by a faculty appointment at Washington State University and his academic career was concluded by receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, contributing to his long-standing nickname of "Dr. Bob."
Robert left the faculty at WSU in 1967 to begin a career with Caterpillar, Inc. in Mossville, Illinois. This career encompassed thirty-one years including 25 years at the Peoria, Illinois engine facility where he was the Assistant Chief Engineer, directing all engine components' development and procurement. He then achieved the rank of Technical Director of Large Engines while at the Lafayette, Indiana facility, completing another 6 years with the company. Besides working for Caterpillar all those years, he also served as Director-at-Large for the American Bowling Congress (ABC), being their Technical Director.
Three years after Robert retired in 1988, he and Dawn settled in Lakeland, Florida at the Cypress Lakes Community. Their four fabulous children, Roger – who was their biological child, and Kathryn, Phillip and (now deceased) Jennifer – who were adopted as infants, had departed by this time to families of their own. Robert has one bonus daughter, Laura, who has been part of the family for many years and was an excellent friend and caregiver to his daughter, Jennifer. Laura is the Animal Care Supervisor for a cat rescue in Arizona.
Roger became the Aquatic Foreman for the Peoria Park District and received the Milly Kondracke award for outstanding advocacy with the Parkinson’s Action Network in 2015, as his wife, Barb, currently suffers with this dreadful malady. Kathryn has had a major career as a Social Worker in Illinois, Arizona, Idaho and most recently Oklahoma. Her husband, Kurt, is the curator of the cemetery. Phillip and Jackie recently moved to Washington but previously ran the biggest chapter of Goodwill in the world – she as the President and he as the Director of Facilities Management over Central and Northern Arizona and Maryland. Jennifer was a Trauma Technician and Lifeline helicopter dispatcher for St. Francis Hospital in Peoria until seizures forced her into retirement at the age of 30. She unfortunately passed away at the age of 50 in 2021 from Covid and medical complications.
Robert was very committed to the Lord, and made sure He honored Christ as did his family throughout their entire lives together. Bob centered his life around church work, serving as chairman of two congregations – Pullman, WA and Peoria, IL, with twelve years as a member of the Human Resources Board at St. Paul of Lakeland, Florida.
After flying solo for a number of years following Dawn's passing, Robert’s final crowning achievement was his wedded bliss with his wonderful companion and bridge partner, Dianne Shivell. In only three years, she managed to take him from being an overweight Goren bridge player to a healthy and competent American Standard player while she became a Bronze Life Master herself.
How she accomplished this will be the mystery of all time.
Robert is survived by 4 grandchildren, Andy, Amy, Casey, and Rhiannon; as well as 4 great-grandchildren, Abraham, Gabriel, Ezekiel and Zilah Rose.
A memorial service will be conducted on May 1, 2026 at 1 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Florida. In lieu of flowers, it is requested donations be made on his behalf to PGI (Paws Giving Independence), PO Box 9572, Peoria, Illinois, 61612-9572. This is the organization who trained and provided his daughter-in-law, Barb, with a service dog and the money would be utilized to foster and train new puppies. Donations can also be made to Central Illinois Parkinson's Support Group, 1744 Kingsbury Road, Washington, Illinois, 61571. This money would remain local and support community activities for individuals with Parkinsons as well as their caretakers and/or family members.
For those unable to attend the celebration in Florida, there will be a celebration of life in Illinois at a later date.
What’s your fondest memory of Dr. Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dr. Robert?
Share a story where Dr. Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dr. Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Dr. Robert make you smile?