Robert D. Greenwalt

Champaign – Robert Dean Greenwalt died June 12, 2026.

Although his trademark look was a cowboy hat and boots, Robert was a farm boy who became an accomplished military officer, a successful attorney, a car collector, a Civil War enthusiast, a show dog owner, a coach, a wanderer, a sports fan, and most of all, a loving husband father, and grandfather.

He was born June 2, 1940, in Elyria, Neb., the only child of corn and cattle farmers Edward Greenwalt and Bernice (née Wegrzyn). Robert attended Shelton High School – commuting in a blue 1954 Chevy pickup his dad bought for him, since there was no school bus and it was too far to walk. Robert kept the truck for over 50 years. He graduated in 1958 at the top of his class of 18 students and received top scores in the state on his college entrance exams. He turned down a scholarship at the University of Nebraska to attend the United States Military Academy West Point, where he graduated in 1962 and was commissioned as a captain in the 101st Airborne.

He served in Wiesbaden, Germany, and in the Hanau Officer’s Club one evening he met the love of his life and future wife, Jeanne (née O’Brien), who was serving a two-year tour as a schoolteacher. The couple married April 23,1966 a few months before he was deployed to Vietnam, where he served for 11 months.

After his military career, Robert and Jeanne moved to Chicago, where he attended the University of Chicago Law School. After graduation, he joined a patent law firm in Chicago Ill., then becoming a partner at a firm in West Chicago, Ill., and later starting his own general practice firm there, Robert Greenwalt, Attorney at Law. He also served as city attorney for West Chicago and as township attorney for Winfield, Ill. He gave his children early work experience helping in his office.

Robert and Jeanne had three daughters, Nancy Greenwalt (Mark Aber); Karen Greenwalt (David Hamilton) all of Champaign, Ill.; and Cheryl Baldwin (Craig Baldwin) of Fredericksburg, Va.

Although his work was demanding, Robert made time to teach his daughters a strong work ethic, perseverance, and even how to play softball. He coached their teams, and he served as a football coach of the “90-pounders” for a local football league. His daughters participated as cheerleaders for the team. Robert was a Chicago Bears season ticket holder for 17 years, and his daughters remember the freezing weather when it was their turn to join their father for a late-season game.

Robert and Jeanne had six grandchildren, Tori Aber of Eugene, Ore., Liara Aber of Denver, Colo., Alexa Goudie (Rob Goudie) of Decatur, Ill., and Aislinn, Lilian and Corinne Baldwin all of Fredericksburg, Va.

Once he retired, Robert and Jeanne moved to Sandwich, Ill., where he served on the LaSalle County Board and loved cruising on his pontoon boat on Lake Holiday.  

Robert was passionate about sports cars and collected them throughout his life - always owning and showing one or two, including several Corvettes and Porsches and occasionally taking them for a spin on a local racetrack. A Civil War enthusiast, he was also well-read on war tactics and enjoyed visiting battlegrounds to learn more about history.

He and Jeanne showed dogs, mainly Standard Schnauzers. They traveled thousands of miles to participate in shows, where several of their dogs earned the title champion. They loved live music and saw Elivis, Willie Nelson twice and Frank Sinatra twice – once with Sammy Davis Jr. They enjoyed vacationing in Key West, since it was very walkable and often featured good music performances. They traveled to all the major national parks, with Yosemite being their favorite and went on several cruises, including an especially memorable one to Alaska. Mexico was another favorite travel destination, where they once stayed in the villa where Frida Kahlo often painted. His favorite trips, though, were to visit his daughters and to celebrate their life achievements.

Robert’s love of travel included a U.S. bucket list. By 2018, he had visited 49 states. Although his health created travel challenges, he was determined to visit his 50th state: Idaho. He considered taking a Greyhound bus, but his family objected. They also nixed the idea of him traveling alone by train. Finally, it was decided a daughter would escort him on the train from Chicago to Idaho, a multiday trip each direction. When they arrived in Sandpoint, Idaho, they met a friend who gave them a brief tour, then they boarded the next train back to Illinois.

Robert and Jeanne moved to Champaign several years ago to spend more time with their children and grandchildren. He continued to offer fatherly advice to his daughters – near or far – often sending them seemingly random emails with life advice that later would help guide them to be better people. His family will miss his advice and his sense of purpose and how to live life well, but they are grateful for the time they had with him. They are very grateful that he and Jeanne were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in April.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held Monday, June 22, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark St., Champaign, Ill. at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest in a private burial with military honors at St. Mary’s cemetery in Champaign.

Memorial contributions can be made to the National Parks Foundation  and Almost Home Schnauzer Rescue  

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