Robert "Bob" Corbett Obituary (1935 - 2019)

Robert, "Bob" Guy Corbett, 84 of Normal, passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at his home. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 2pm at First Christian Church, Bloomington with Rev. Dr. Jim Warren officiating. Visitation will be held from 1-2pm on Monday, November 25, 2019 at the church. Cremation rites were accorded. The family suggests memorials to be made to First Christian Church, Bloomington. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements. Bob was born on March 13, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas "Cy" and Dorothy Huttman Corbett. He married Gail Rushford on August 31, 1959 in Albuquerque, NM. Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, their children, Jonathan (Charlotte) Corbett, Purcellville, VA; and Erica Corbett, Durant, OK; 1 granddaughter, Sarah-Jane Corbett; and 2 brothers, Dr. Thomas (Beverly) Corbett, Ann Arbor, MI; and William (Deb Holden-Corbett) Corbett, Traverse City, MI. Bob is preceded in death by his parents. Bob attended Harvard College and the University of Michigan, majoring in Geology and earning a B.S. (1957), M.S. (1958) and Ph.D. (1964) at the University of Michigan. Bob's dissertation was the definitive study of the United States' largest uranium mine at the time. Bob started his career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography-Geology at West Virginia University. He later went on to be an Associate Professor and later a full Professor in the Department of Geography-Geology at the University of Akron. He became Chairman of the Geology Department, and also served as Coordinator of Research. In 1989 Bob moved his family to Normal, Illinois and worked at Illinois State University as a Professor of Geology and Department Chair of Geography-Geology. Bob retired from ISU in 2001. After retirement he continued his relationship with the American Institute of Professional Geologists. He also served as an appointee to the State of Illinois Board for Licensing, Professional Geologists. In recognition of his hard work he received the Martin C. Van Couvering Memorial Award from the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) on October 9, 2007. Throughout his career he conducted considerable research and has published more than 60 professional publications including co-author of "Geology of Casper Mountain, Wyoming, 1989", a U.S. Geological Survey professional paper. Bob was also recognized on April 18, 2015 for exemplary achievement at ISU, being elected to membership in the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Besides his work at the University he enjoyed leading raft trips down the Grand Canyon for geology students and making several trips to Hawaii National Parks studying the Volcanos. When Bob wasn't working, he was a member of First Christian Church, Bloomington and was a life-long Cubs Fan.