Robert (Bob) Livingston, 75, died on January 8, 2021 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital following a brief battle with COVID-19. He was born on June 5, 1945 in Cisne, Illinois and was adopted by his loving parents John Spurgeon and Helen Margaret (Haskin) Livingston. Bob graduated from Flora High School in the class of 1963. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1967 – 1971 where he traveled extensively in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.
After returning from the Navy, Bob attended SIU at Carbondale and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. For one summer, he studied abroad in Europe. He became a journalist for newspapers in Flora, Illinois and Sidney, Nebraska. In 1982, Bob came to Mt. Carmel to be the sports editor and general reporter for the Daily Republican Register. For 29 ½ years, he covered the sports for the MCHS Aces, WVC Warriors, and other community sports.
On June 25, 1988, he married Ruth Veihman. Together they attended many games for the MCHS Aces, WVC Warriors, SIU Salukis, Mizzou Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals. He also adored the Green Bay Packers. Besides sports, Bob liked history, photography, and was an avid reader. He loved everything chocolate.
Bob was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and was also very active at Asbury Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Elks, SIU Alumni Association, and served on the Christmas Parade Committee for more than 20 years.
He dearly loved his family and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 32 years, Ruth; sister Mary (John Spitzner) Hutchens of Flora, Illinois; sister-in-law Marilyn (Jim) Cox of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; brother-in-law Paul (Goldie) Veihman of Tarpon Springs, Florida; nephew Pat (Doreen) Spitzner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nieces Lisa (Eric) Stanley of Clay City, Illinois; Cindy (Mike) Tatman of Flora, Illinois; Julie (Dwight) Stricklin of Lincoln, Illinois; Carrie (Ryan) Parmenter of Mt. Vernon, Indiana; and Sallie (Charlie) Dolan of Catlin, Illinois; and several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law John “Bill” Hutchens; and mother and father in-law Raymond A. and Evah O. Veihman
There will be a private family funeral Saturday, January 16, 2021. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or Asbury Chapel United Methodist Church. They can be mailed to Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, P.O. Box 397, Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863, dropped by the funeral home or made on the funeral home’s website.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Bob’s family
