Robert Rhodes

Robert A. Rhodes, 92 of Peoria, passed away Monday, February 6, 2017 at Independence Village in Peoria, IL. He was born September 6, 1924, in Madison WI, the son of Jesse E. Edith E. (Chapman) Rhodes. He married Nancy Hammond Robertson in 1947. She survives. Also surviving are their three children: Katherine R. Cox (Jerry Self), East Peoria, IL; Rebecca A. Rhodes (Ralph Sawyer), Metamora, IL, and Christopher R. Rhodes (Dr. Albene Kokocinski), Chicago, IL. He also is survived by three grandchildren: Adam R. Sawyer, Metamora, IL; Anastasia K. Rhodes, Chicago, IL; and Savanna A. Rhodes, Boston, MA. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James A. Rhodes of Falls Church, VA. Robert served during World War II as a sergeant and squad leader in the Infantry of the 42nd Division in France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his action in the Rhineland during the Battle of the Bulge. He was in the force that liberated Dachau Concentration Camp. He received B. S., M. S. and PhD degrees in Bacteriology and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the Northern Regional Research Laboratory (now NAURC) at Peoria in 1954 as a research scientist. His research covered a variety of topics including the fermentative production of organic acids and amino acids, propagation of microbes for the control of insects, and the development of a unique fermentative process to utilize feedlot waste. In 1975 he was selected to be the Associate Director of the Laboratory and subsequently was appointed the Director. When he retired, he was the Director of Research done by the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture at universities and federal laboratories in the Midwest. In retirement Robert served as a volunteer at Lakeview Museum. There will be no services. In his memory, donations may be made to the Illinois Talking Books and Braille Service of the Illinois State Library (300 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL, 62701) or to the education department of the Peoria Riverfront Museum (222 S.W. Washington St., Peoria, IL 61602).