Robert E. “Veteran Bob” Matteson, 94, of Springfield, died Wednesday, July 7, 2020, at his residence.
Due to COVID-19 protocols at the time of death, visitation will be held Saturday, July 31, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Bisch Funeral Home West in Springfield. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mr. Matteson was born Jan. 31, 1926, in Decatur, to Leon R. Matteson and Thelma E. Fonner. He married Mary Ella Carr on July 27, 1946, in Decatur, and she preceded him in death on Sept. 29, 2018.
A supervisor with Illinois Bell Telephone Company, he retired in 1982. He was a member of the Illinois Bell Pioneers, the IBT Retired Golf League and the First United Methodist Church. He also volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity. He was a marine who served in the South Pacific during World War II. One of his proudest accomplishments was co-founding the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in 2009, and continuing to be active with the organization through 2020.
Most recently, he volunteered in a kindergarten classroom at the Silverleaf Children’s Academy as an Ambassador with Honor Flight where he became lovingly known as “Veteran Bob.”
He is survived by two children, Gayle A. Matteson of Hillsboro and Robert Jeffrey (Janice) Matteson of Aurora; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry Lynn Matteson of Decatur and James Edward Matteson of Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Michael A. Matteson; one sister, Musetta Irene Hauptman; and three brothers, Richard, Ronald and Thomas Matteson.
Memorials may be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 57 Country Place, Springfield, IL 62703.
Online condolences may be left at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.
