Robert "Bob" Quentin Randall, 79, of Jacksonville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born May 1, 1945, at Passavant Hospital in Jacksonville, the son of William Orlando and Agnes Johanna Bruins Randall. He married Catherine Carrick Horn, December 27, 1969, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Quincy, and she survives.

Bob lived at 127 Webster Avenue for the first 18 years. At age 6, Bob attended Lafayette Elementary School where he became interested in nature, and it became his lifelong passion. Bob attended Junior Museum, taught by Miss Emma May Leonard and Ray Brockle. He later attended Jonathan Turner Junior High School where he was a member of the first graduating class. Bob continued his high school years at Jacksonville High School, graduating in 1963. There, Bob was involved with the Bird Club instructed by Miss Emma May Leonard. As a youngster, Bob collected insects and butterflies and later donated his collection to Illinois College. When Bob was in junior high school, he developed a love for birdwatching.

While in high school and college, Bob played golf. After college, he began playing tennis actively for over 50 years. Then like many seniors today, Bob turned to Pickleball to keep fit. Additional activities included collecting stamps, Native American and Meso American pottery, along with antiques from the arts and crafts period.

In 1967, Bob received a Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois College. After graduation, Bob took a position with Affiliated Laboratories in White Hall, IL. He worked in research and development, quality control, and served as head of viral production. His position also included Director of Safety for the entire plant.

In 1979, Bob, along with his good friend, Pat Ward, started Jacksonville Landscape Nursery. Bob was an active partner until he retired after 20+ years.

Bob's interest in arts and crafts architecture continued when serving as a volunteer for the Dana Thomas House in Springfield for 20 years, as well as volunteering as a member of the foundation board for 12 years. The Randall's also attended over 30 years of arts and crafts conferences at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.

Bob and Cathy donated 92 acres of land located at Spunky Bottom in Brown County to the Nature Conservancy of Illinois. At that location they built an arts and crafts style cottage, which became their weekend retreat. At their homes in Jacksonville and Amelia Island, Bob also created natural and native environmental wildlife and woodland refuges.

Over the years, the Randall's enjoyed parts of winter on the Island of Monserrat. In 2012, they began wintering in their home on Amelia Island which they renovated into another arts and crafts style home.

Bob served on numerous boards in Jacksonville, including as a charter member of the Morgan County Audubon Society and was the last surviving charter member from the 1961 club. He served in several leadership positions on this board, including president several times. Other Boards included the Illinois College Board of Trustees, Illinois College Alumni Board, the Friends of the Library Board in Jacksonville, and the Board for the Illinois Audubon Society. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Bob served as a trustee, and Elder, and a deacon. He also served on the Amelia Island Plantation Community Association, on the Ecology Committee, and began a bird census Program for the AIPCA.

Bob and Cathy traveled around the world and visited almost 100 countries. Bob recorded seeing nearly 7000 species of birds.

While Bob clearly had a passion for nature and enjoyed his life. His final days were filled with the love of his life, Cathy.

In lieu of flowers, please donate memorials to one of the following: Illinois College, The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, or The American Bird Conservancy.

A visitation for Bob will be held from 4 –7 PM Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM the following day at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. Immediately after the service, a luncheon will be provided at Jacksonville Country Club. The burial will be at 3:00 PM at Woodland Cemetery in Quincy. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.