Robert Alan Gill

March 3, 1951 - April 29, 2022

Bob was born on March 3, 1951 in East St Louis, IL. He was a 1969 graduate of East St. Louis High School and has earned a bachelors degree in Sociolology from SIU-E. Bob could best be described as a true renaissance man: a teacher, videographer, environmental activist, musician, photographer and amateur historian. Bob spent much of his working life centered in the field of audio/visual. He came of age at the dawn of the VCR. He quickly saw the impact that it would have on our society and learned and studied in college then honed those skills at a production company named Double Helix. He then went on to run the A/V departments at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Granite City and St. Charles Community College. It will come as no surprise to those who knew him that Bob was a lover of nature. An avid camper and hiker throughout his life, his photography and Facebook allowed us to see his unique perspective of the world around us. He spent many years involved with the local Sierra Club to bring attention to evironmental issues and to show us the importance of the environment and how it affects the world around us. He was especially proud of his recent work as a Citizen Advocate for Illinois environment issues. Although Bob had many pursuits throughout his life his true passion was the learning and preservation of history with video thru his production company called Hometown Productions. His efforts ranged from videos about the early mound builders, French Rendezvous and the St. Louis World's Fair. He most recently received an award from the Illinois Historical Society for a documentary of the history of the village of Leclaire. Above all, Bob had a great love for community. Not just community in the physical sense, but the community of family, friendship, causes and humanity. He still clung to his core belief that we could be so much better if we learned to work together for a common good. He did however hold a special place in his heart for the communities he lived in. He gave much of his time to innumerable projects in and around Edwardsville and has spent the last several years of his life helping to establish and expand the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center in his beloved hometown of East St. Louis. Like those communities that became the fabric of his life, a little bit of him became woven in to the many lives that he touched. Survived by his daughter Rebekah Visco (Evan), grandchildren Samantha Visco and Adam Visco, siblings, William Gill, Kathy Deddens (Thomas), James Gill (Joyce), niece and nephews: Jared Gill, Barb Hall ( Brian Davidson), Steven Deddens and great nieces and nephews, Faith, Hope, Harrison and George, His loving companion Yvonne McCall along with her beloved "Dash" (Bob's hiking buddy). Also survived by his many cousins, friends, co-workers and his vast facebook family whom, thru his daily post with pics of history, life and nature, he brought a small joy into our sometime hectic lives. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the Leclaire Park Bandstand. This is a rain or shine event. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for seating. No food will be served but if you choose, bring your own lunch and gather prior to the event with friends--sharing stories and remembrances of Bob. The park is an open venue. The family thanks you for your gift in honoring him. In lieu of flowers, Please consider a donation to two organizations dear to him. sunshineculturalartsclub.org sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades