Robert August Van Hamme age 70, Stockton, IL passed away peacefully at his beloved farm surrounded by family on April 30th.

Born August 23, 1951, to August and Madeleine Van Hamme in Genesco, IL, he attended grade and middle school at Holy Cross Catholic School and graduated from Stockton High School in 1969.  Bob was inducted into the Army Dec 3rd, 1969, and served his tour at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, he attended Highland Community College in Freeport, IL.  He continued his education at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL, and received his bachelor's degree in Agribusiness Economics in 1980.

He was hired by the Department of Conservation and graduated from the Academy in 1975.  Bob worked as a DNR officer in Jackson County before transferring to Jo Daviess County in 1980.  It was here that he began farming part-time while working full time for the department.

On August 4th, 1984, he was united in marriage to Jane Carroll (Mitchell) at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Freeport, IL.  Together they had two children Erica and Alex, along with two stepchildren, Michelle Carroll and Jacob Carroll.  In 1991 they purchased their dream farm south of Stockton.  It is here where Bob truly cared and nurtured the land and wildlife. In Bob's words "farming and cattle were his therapy ".

Bob had many interests and hobbies.  Education was very important to him, and he loved reading.  He could read a magazine cover to cover and tell you everything in it.  "I'm a store house of useless facts and information" was one of his many quotes.   He enjoyed hunting wild fowl, boating, bowling, playing Blackjack, and golfing.  Farming and cattle held a particularly special place in his heart and gave him great joy.  His family is what he was the proudest of.  He felt very fortunate to have many loved ones in his family.

Bob received many conservation awards throughout his years of service including "Officer of the Year" in 1991.  He retired from the department after 25 years of service in 2001.  Upon retiring he continued to farm and served on the Stockton School Board for 11 years, many of them as President.

Proceeding in death were his parents August and Madeleine Van Hamme.  Surviving are wife Jane Van Hamme, children Erica Wagner (Jared) Castile Rock, Co, Alex Van Hamme, Stockton, step-children Michelle Carroll, Glendale, AZ, and Jacob Carroll (Minh) Portland, OR. Grandchildren Warren Carroll age 10, Grayson Wagner age 5, and Lennon Wagner age 2. Siblings are Lillian Townsend (Gary), Stockton, IL., Cindy Sigafus (Tom) Monroe, Wi., and Tim Van Hamme, Bradenton, Fl.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 21st at Woodbine Golf Course and Restaurant 3500 E. Center Rd, Stockton, IL from 1-5 pm.  A short Military Service will take place at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers a Memorial Fund will be established.