Robert “Bob” Tyler Scaggs

December 23, 1930 — April 12, 2025

Robert Tyler “Bob” Scaggs, 94, a veteran of the Korean War, and longtime resident of Urbana, Illinois, passed away peacefully in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, surrounded by family. Bob was born on December 23, 1930, to Albert and Clara (Ruppel) Scaggs, in Collinsville, Illinois. Bob attended Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois, and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley “Sue” Suann Ellsworth, on January 27, 1951, at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church.

Bob then joined the US Navy in March of that same year and proudly served 4 years on the USS Briareus (AR-12), 10th Division. They settled down in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and Bob attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. They had two children. Bob had a long career with the Universal Bleacher Company, and later a career with the University of Illinois. Bob earned several patents while at the Bleacher Company; Primary patent was for the roll-out style bleachers found in most high schools today. He was a life-long member of the Community United Church of Christ in Champaign, Illinois, serving many years as their treasurer. Three years ago, Bob and Shirley moved in with their son due to failing health. Bob and Shirley were married for almost 72 years.

Bob saw the potential for computers in the workplace before they were commonplace and helped the bleacher company where he worked modernize their operation using them ahead of the trend at the time. His drive to understand this technology led him to take university courses and even to become a teacher for others. His kind heart also led him to find other ways to help those in need where he found opportunities, from people at church or his community to opening their home to foreign exchange students.

Bob enjoyed traveling and took his family to many sights and memorable locations on their vacations, the capstone of which was their 50t wedding anniversary celebration, for which they were joined by their children and their spouses for a Mediterranean cruise that took them through points in Italy, Turkey, and Greece.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley “Sue” Suann (Ellsworth) Scaggs, his parents, Albert and Clara (Ruppel) Scaggs, and his two sisters Shirley Mae (Scaggs) Mendez (Paul) and Joyce Elaine (Scaggs) McCain (George). Bob is survived by his son Damon Ellsworth Scaggs, Lincoln, NE, grandson Julian Robert Thayer Scaggs and granddaughter Tahlia Hope Scaggs and his daughter Cassandra Dacia Scaggs (with Husband Steve Willoughby), Aloha, Oregon, grandsons Kendrick Ammon Alexander Willoughby and Jonathan Lorin Michael Willoughby.

Bob will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be planned at a later time in Urbana, Illinois.

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