Robert Oloffson

Robert “Bobby Lee” Oloffson, a Korean War veteran and lifelong Wyanet resident, died on February 11, 2022, at the age of 92, at his home in Wyanet, Illinois.

 He is survived by his wife Clara, who he was married to for 68 years; his four sons: Ron (Kathy) Oloffson of Herscher, Illinois; Rusty (Paula) Oloffson of Scottsdale, Arizona; Randy (Kim) Oloffson of Bel Air, Maryland; and Andy (Emily) Oloffson of Chicago, Illinois; six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee H. and Velma Prettyman Oloffson, and his sister, Louis Jean Day.

 Bob was born January 3, 1930, in Princeton, Illinois, and graduated from Wyanet High School in 1947. He then moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend National Railroad School, studying telegraphy. He began working as a railroad operator for CB&Q railroad and was the Depot Agent in Wyanet for many years. 

 In July 1951, at age 21, he was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. He was sent to Seoul, South Korea, where he worked at the Eighth Army Communication Center as part of the 304th Signal Battalion. His role involved relaying and copying messages between the United States and Korea. He returned from service in July 1953. 

 Just a month after his return, he married Clara at the Wyanet Methodist Church on August 2, 1953. After working at CB&Q for 24 years, he opened Bob’s Radio and TV in 1968. Later called Bob’s TV & Appliance, he owned and operated the small business on Main Street in Wyanet for 26 years. 

 Born in Wyanet, Bob deeply loved his community and showed it by being involved in the many organizations in town. For more than 60 years, he served as the Quartermaster of the Wyanet VFW, and was still serving in this role until just recently. He served on the Wyanet Town Board for 16 years, the Wyanet Grade School Board for 12 years, the Thomas Museum Board, and was also President of the Wyanet Historical Society. For numerous years he also coached Wyanet Little League. 

 In addition, he was a member of the United Methodist Church, The Burlington Route Historical Society, as well as the Wyanet Community Club.

 After his decades of work on the railroad, he became an avid collector of model railroads, decorating his basement with detailed model trains that his grandchildren spent hours enjoying alongside him. A lifelong lover of music, he played both acoustic and steel guitar in a band called the Rhythm Kings. A passionate Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, he was elated to finally see the Cubs win a World Series in his lifetime in 2016. 

 Visitation will be from10:00-11:00 am with services starting at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 23 at the Wyanet United Methodist Church with Pastor Kelly McKune officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wyanet VFW-Post 6634, Wyanet United Methodist Church, or The Wyanet Historical Society. Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.