Robert C. Taylor, 88, died on December 17, 2015, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's and cancer.

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home in Rock Island is in charge of arrangements. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private memorial celebration of life will be held at a later time. Interment will be in the National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. Memorial gifts may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association through Avonlea Cottage, Milan, his home for almost three years.

He was born on July 26, 1927, in Springfield, Illinois, a son of Ivor and Alma (Cutler) Taylor. Raised in Springfield, IL, he graduated from Springfield High School in 1945, serving in the U. S. Army occupation forces in Germany immediately after his graduation. On his return home, he was apprenticed as a machine tool designer in Springfield. On New Year's Eve in 1948 he married Dawn E. Williams in Springfield. In 1952 they moved to Rock Island, where he worked for Reynolds Engineering Co. for the next 32 years as a tool designer. Some of those he worked with considered him a brilliant designer.

In 1985 he and Dawn relocated to southern California, returning to Illinois on his retirement from Northrop Grumman in 1992. They wintered in Green Valley, AZ, for many years. In 2002 they moved back to Rock Island. Their marriage continued for 65 years, terminated only by Dawn's passing in early 2014.

Bob was a creative and avid do-it-yourselfer, crafting many small, useful items for the home. He loved classical music. Raised as a Bible student, he enjoyed reading the Bible and studying world and American history. Bob was also an expert woodsman able to identify virtually all trees, plants, wildflowers, and herbs common to the Midwest woodland. He was a member of the Masonic Order, Trio Lodge, Rock Island.

Hard-working, determined, and honest almost to a fault, he was devoted and generous to his family and was particularly charmed by all children. When he was younger, he would wrestle and roughhouse with his kids on Sunday afternoons. His vacations and time-off from work were centered entirely around his children and grandchildren. When no other person would serve as the adult leader of a neighborhood Cub Scout pack in the late 50's, he became its "Den Mother," an uncommon post for a man in that era. Despite a somewhat stern and silent demeanor, he was a very tender-hearted man.

He is survived by two daughters, Denise (Vic) Blodgett, of Cookeville, TN, and Lorraine S. Cueno, Rock Island; two sons, Duane (Joyce) Taylor, Warsaw, IL, and Lowell (Cara) Taylor, a missionary in Nigeria; a granddaughter, Jeuel Blodgett, Cookeville, TN; a grandson, Daniel (Holly) Cueno, Olmstead Falls, OH; a great-granddaughter, Isabella Barona, Cookeville, TN; a great-grandson, Samuel Taylor Cueno, Olmstead Falls, OH; and two nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by his sisters, Ruby and Elizabeth; his brother, Byron; and his wife, Dawn.