Robert C. Waterman

Robert (Bob) Charles Waterman, age 82, of Wheaton, Illinois, quietly went to see our Lord Jesus on November 25, 2023. He was born in Belle Plaine, IA to Walter and Martha (Wurch) Waterman on February 19, 1941. Bob attended St. Stephen's Lutheran Elementary School in Atkins, IA and graduated from Atkins High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia College in Seward, NE, and his master’s degree in administration from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. 

Bob began his ministry in 1966 as teacher-principal at Zion Lutheran School, Wilton, IA. He then served as teacher-principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Dundee, IL for 11 years. His move to Wheaton, IL in 1980 brought him to St. John Lutheran Church where he served as principal of the elementary school, Director of Christian Education, and Pastoral Assistant, retiring in 2006. In retirement, Bob continued to serve as a volunteer with Lutheran Church Charities, Voice of Care, Peoples Resource Center, and the Home Visitation group at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, IL.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Judith Norbeck Waterman; his three children, Steve Waterman (Beth), Allen Waterman (Ineke), and Kristin Elliot; and his stepdaughter, Laurel Bishop (Bryan). Bob was particularly proud of his grandchildren Jacob Waterman, Tyler Waterman, Emma Elliot, Paige Elliot; and his step-grandchildren, Eric Bishop, Virginia Bishop, and Thomas Bishop. His surviving extended family includes his brother Don Waterman (Eunice), sisters-in-law Kathryn Waterman and Evelyn Waterman, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Warren Waterman and Keith Waterman, and stepson Eric Jones. 

A memorial service is scheduled for January 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, in Lisle, IL; visitation with the family present will begin at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment with family in Atkins, IA will be in the summer. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the youth at Trinity Lutheran Work Camp Missions (an endeavor near to Bob’s heart), or to the Parkinson’s Foundation, or to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins, IA. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert C. Waterman, please visit our floral store.