Robert William “Bob” McWhorter
July 09, 1953 ~ March 12, 2026
Robert William “Bob” McWhorter, 72, passed away peacefully at his home in Jupiter, Florida, on March 12, 2026. He was born July 9, 1953, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Over the years Bob called many places home, but some of his favorites included Delavan and Sandwich, Illinois; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Pekin, IL; and Jupiter, Florida. No matter where he lived, Bob had a way of making people feel like old friends: his humor, stories, and big personality left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Carl and Beverly (Fulton) McWhorter.
He is survived by his loving wife, Leann (Ryan) McWhorter; his sister, Patti (McWhorter) Horton; his son, Brian McWhorter and Brian’s wife, Basia, and their daughter, Zosia; his daughter, Lisa McWhorter-Kurtz and her lifelong companion, Jason McArdle, and their children: Lainie Kate, Lexi, Livi, Laney, Liam, and Lyndi; and his son, Kevin McWhorter, and Kevin’s wife, Brenna, and their son, Everett.
Bob married Leann Ryan on July 5, 1975, at the Methodist Church in Delavan, Illinois. Together they built a life full of adventure, laughter, and family.
Bob earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Tulsa followed by a lifelong career with Caterpillar Tractor Co.
He had a special place in his heart for his many pets over the years: Brownie, Tabby, Agatha, Chloe, Kaiser, and Kuna. One of his simple joys was mowing his yard with his dog, Kaiser, riding along on his lap.
Bob will be tremendously missed by all who knew and loved him. He was known for his larger-than-life personality, his love of music, and his unmistakable laugh. Often he would start laughing at his own stories before he even finished telling them, which made everyone around him laugh too. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and took great pride in being their Papa.
Bob was diagnosed with glioblastoma in March 2024 and faced the disease with courage and determination. His strength, humor, and spirit remained evident throughout his fight.
A private celebration of Bob’s life will be held in July near his birthday in Florida. Another celebration of life for Illinois family and friends is tentatively planned for the fall. Those interested in attending may text Brian at 309-202-6032, Lisa at 309-620-6104, or Kevin at 402-290-9275 for additional information.
Bob was fond of many charities during his life including Sandwich Park District, The Reedy Family Foundation (in Remembrance), TAPS, whom promotes animal adoptions, and as Bob often quoted Ben Franklin, “There’s never been a good war or a bad peace,” we included the Carter Center. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Bob’s favorite community resources included below:
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Plant a tree through the Sandwich Park District: Make checks payable to Sandwich Park District, Mail checks to Lisa Kurtz, 24419 Peyton Place, Hudson, IL 61748
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The Kevin Reedy Foundation: Make checks payable to Lewis Central Foundation, Mail to: Lisa Kurtz, 24419 Peyton Place, Hudson, IL 61748
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The Carter Center: donate online: www.cartercenter.org
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Tazewell Animal Protective Society, donate online: https://tapsshelter.org/
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Laurel Erdman - Friend
March 14, 2026, 11:14 pm
Although I only met your father many years ago, when you and Katie were attending university of Iowa, I have good memories of a very nice man. I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. God bless you and give you comfort.
Von Fox
March 14, 2026, 11:17 pm
I will always cherish and remember Bob more like my second brother than the great, great, everlasting friend he was of my lifetime. Geez, according to my Mom, he and I met at nursery school at the Methodist Church in Delavan at A3 for both of us. That makes us friends for just 69 years. So many great and funny memories. We were always bonded, I always knew, even there were occasional gaps in contact, maybe even 3, 4 years, but when I ( or he to me) picked up that phone to re-establish contact I knew he was the same guy, never, ever wavering, and I always knew I could make him laugh, that great Bob McWhorter laugh, and that laugh lit up my life, each and every time, never once did I ever get enough.
My sincerest condolenses to amazing and wonderful Leann, beautiful Patti, the 3 kids, and all the grandkids.
Von Fox, he was my oldest friend, pretty sure I was for him, too.
Cindy Lynch - Mother of Brenna McWhorter but close friend to Bob, Leanne and Kevin
March 14, 2026, 11:46 pm
Bob was so important to our family. We are so sad to loose him to this horrible disease. We are all here for you Leanne.
Lori Clark - Friend
March 15, 2026, 11:42 am
What a beautiful remembrance of him. He was indeed one of the best people I have and probably will ever know. He was always so kind and wonderful. He laugh could liven up a room.
I will miss him. And so will the world.
Bye Bob
Jeffrey Bahnsen - Friend and former neighbor
March 15, 2026, 1:38 pm
Everybody loved Bob, no doubt. Bob was the first to welcome us when we were looking to buy a lot in his Pekin subdivision. I knew he would be a fun neighbor instantly. We just clicked right away. Lynda and I will miss him terribly and our hearts go out to Leann and the entire family. God will welcome him!
Roark WIlliams - Friend, former work associate.
March 15, 2026, 2:34 pm
My condolences to Leann and all of Bob’s family. A great guy with a big smile and laugh will always be the way I remember him. RIP, Bob.
Hollie - Friend
March 15, 2026, 4:41 pm
Praying for all of you. So many happy memories with Bob and Leann and the McWhorter family. He loved his family so much. We will miss him terribly.
Patty Steffens - Soup Grouper
March 15, 2026, 5:21 pm
You are all in our thoughts and being held close to our hearts.
Bob will always be a phenomenal human who brought joy, sincerity and truth to our world. ❤️
Evan Martí - Friend
March 15, 2026, 6:30 pm
My sincere condolences to the family. I went to school in Brussels with Bob and was a rugby teammate of his there. He was fun, friendly, gentlemanly guy and it was so good to see him and have dinner with him in Charleston at our reunion.
Marilyn Anderson - classmate and friend from DHS
March 15, 2026, 10:32 pm
Leann and family. I am so sad to read this. Bob actually came to our home in DeBary Florida a few years ago as we talked and planned a 50th class reunion for Delavan friends and classmates. We shared stories and caught up with our lives and were excited that we would have a BIG celebration soon. Then COVID hit…and that was that. How wonderful that you will have such WONDERFUL memories of your life together that you can share with your children and grandchildren. May you know how much Bob was loved by SO many. Blessings and sympathy to you and your family. With love ~ Marilyn Clark Anderson.
Leslie Norris Leaver - Friend
March 16, 2026, 2:50 pm
I am sad to read of Bob’s passing. My sympathies to the family. I graduated with Bob from ISB. When I think of Bob it is his great smile and laughter that comes to mind. He was just a great guy.
Bill Wallers - Friend
March 17, 2026, 9:28 am
Bob was one of those guys that, if you’re fortunate enough to meet somewhere along this sometimes chaotic journey, just had a way of making everything right. His infectious laugh could bring the sun out on a cloudy day. Gonna miss ya buddy.
Ken Rose - Former Co-worker
March 17, 2026, 3:04 pm
I’m so sorry to hear this. Bob and I worked together at Caterpillar in Aurora in the 1990s. Bob was in IT and I was in Accounting. We worked on some projects together including a memorable set of road trips down to the University of Illinois to work on some financial modeling software. We enjoyed the drives back and forth where we could talk about many topics. One anecdote I remember is remarking to Bob about how tall the children were. He said that when they were younger, he would gently tug on their arms and legs when they complained of growing pains. I did the same with my children, and one boy is 6’4″ and one is 6’2″. On those drives we used to laugh, a lot, and some of the stories Bob told were hysterical, especially from some pranks the IT community played upon one another. Dale Hamilton – if you ever read this, you might remember “…you weren’t just marching, you were CHANTING…”
I miss you, Bob — just remember (from a rest stop on the way down to U of I), somehow it always “smelled like vacation.” I hope all your eternal days are just like vacation.
Joe Staker - Co-worker at CAT.
March 17, 2026, 6:56 pm
I was lucky to work with Bob for a number of years at Caterpillar. We worked together on a joint venture of Cat Ag and Claas farm equipment in Germany. We had the opportunity to travel together many times to Germany and work with our developed new friends in Europe. Of course, on weekends we had the opportunity to visit and enjoy many of the European’s culture and historic sites. Bob was one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. His personality and laughter will be remembered forever. I will miss my numerous connections with him after our retirement. To Lisa and his kids, he was always a joy be be with.
Adam To
March 18, 2026, 6:24 pm
My sincere condolences to your family. I only met Bob briefly, but I still remember the conversation we shared and the impression he left on me. He was clearly a kind and thoughtful person, and his presence will be deeply missed. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.