Robert L. "Bob" Veness, 96, of Jacksonville, IL, passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, after several weeks of nursing home and hospice care. He was born July 3, 1926, in Marion, OH, the son of William J. and Kathryn Roberts Veness. He married Joyce McClain on Sept. 18, 1948, and she survives. He is also survived by two sons and two daughters, Robert L. (Debra) Veness Jr. of Athens, GA, April Veness of Newark, DE, David (Pauline) Veness of Ft. Worth, TX, and Lisa (Thomas) Slate of Jacksonville, IL; five grandchildren, Meagan (Jonathan) Moore of Statesboro, GA, Alexandra (Ian) Saunders of Athens, GA, Christopher Veness of Frisco, TX, Melissa Slate of Jacksonville, IL, and Brittanie (Brian) Camp of White Hall, IL; and six great grandchildren, Madelyn Moore, McCall Moore, Isa Saunders, Gray Saunders, Alexander Veness, and Quinn Veness; plus a number of nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Paige Slate, and a brother and sister, William J. Veness and Dorothy Dobson. Bob Veness enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school and then used the GI Bill to continue his education at Ohio State University. In 1950 he received a bachelors degree in Fine Arts, with a focus on industrial design. With his wife and young family, Bob moved to Jacksonville in the early 1960s and worked as an engineer at Mobil Chemical until his retirement in 1992. Bobs lifelong passion for art, design, and problem-solving, was not limited to his professional life. For more than 50 years he actively participated in the Jacksonville Art League and in 2016 the Strawn Art Gallery hosted a retrospective of his work. After retirement, Bobs interest in the world and sense of adventure continued. He, and Joyce, spent their winters in Florida for many years and they traveled with family and friends in the U.S. as well as England, Scotland, Portugal, Australia, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Bobs kindheartedness, practical knowledge and pearls of wisdom will be missed by his family. There will be no service. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com. .