Robert Norman Arrol, 87, of Arcola, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, at 3:12 a.m. at the home of his son, Robert N. Arrol, M.D., in Arcola.

Bob was born June 15, 1920 in Anderson, IN to Robert "Skotty" and Anna Leone (Fischer) Arrol. He married Betty Jo Hancock on Nov. 26, 1938; she preceded him in death on Sept. 2, 1995. Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Jane (Arrol) Harris of Napes, FL.

Surviving is one son and daughter-in-law: Robert N. Arrol, M.D. and wife, Pris; three grandchildren: Tracy (Arrol) and Mike Icenogle of Ballwin, MO, Robert and Gayle Arrol of Sunset Hills, MO, and Kerri Jo (Arrol) and Dan Taylor of Mattoon, IL; eight grandchildren: Kerby, Aubrey, Casey and Chamberlin Icenogle, Griffin and Laine Arrol, Sam and Emma Mitchell; three step-grandchildren: Blake, Kelsey and Jessica Taylor.

Bob attended high school in Kokomo, IN were he was a star basketball player. He was an excellent bowler and golfer and remained an avid sports fan for the rest of his life. He installed one of the first basketball goals in Arcola and enjoyed watching the kids play "alley ball" and develop into good athletes. One of his joys was to yearly invite the Arcola basketball team into his drug store to make any fountain concoction that they desired.

Bob graduated from the Indianapolis College of Pharmacy (now Butler University) as valedictorian of his class in 1942, receiving many scholastic honors while in school. He served as a pharmacist in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946 in China, Burma, India Theater of War.

After the war he worked for a short time as assistant manager and then manager of Muirs Drug Stores in Kokomo and Gary, IN. In 1948 he purchased the drug store in Arcola, IL and served the community there until his retirement in 1984. Bob received national recognition for his innovative "coffee club", based on the old personalized barber shop mugs, when Charles Kuralt featured the club and individualized coffee cups on his On the Road TV show.

Bob was a continuous member and past president of the Arcola Chamber of Commerce. He served eight years as Alderman on the Arcola City Council as well as Mayor pro-tem in 1961. He served as chairman of the Arcola Chamber of Commerce's "Save the Depot" committee. He was elected to two terms as Supervisor of the Douglas County Board of Supervisors. He was also active at the state level, being elected President of Zone 3, then Third Vice-President, and then State President of the Illinois Association of County Board Members and County Commissioners in 1993. He was an original member of the Arcola School Board Selection Committee. He was instrumental in forming the East Central Illinois Pharmaceutical Association and was a past president of the organization. He was a member of the Illinois and the Indiana Pharmaceutical Associations and served as delegate to the national convention of the National Association of Retail Druggists. In 1984 Bob and Betty were selected the Grand Marshals of the Arcola Broomcorn Festival. He was a 57 year member of the American Legion and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bob was a past Deacon and Elder of the Arcola Presbyterian Church and a sixty-one year member of the Masons. He was a long-time member of the Elks and the Loyal Order of the Moose.

Bob was respected for his views and opinions. He was a very logical thinker and enjoyed "discussions" on everything from politics to religion. He frequently wrote to his congressman concerning their actions and his views. One of his favorite sayings was, "A smart man does not know all the answers - a smart man knows where to find the answers." He was a man of high moral standards with a strong work ethic. Bob loved his family, his friends, and Arcola.

Times-Courier (Charleston, IL) - Friday, November 23, 2007