Robert “Bob” Todd Newby, age 92, recently of South Elgin, IL, passed away on May 14, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 17, 1929 in Elgin, IL to Robert Harold and Margaret (née Todd) Newby.

Bob joined the United States Navy and served honorably before being discharged in 1953. His unit was the precursor to the Navy Seals of today. He married in 1952 and fathered four children. He remarried in 1974 and became a blended family of six children.

Bob earned a bachelor’s degree in Fire Sciences and joined the Elgin Fire Department in 1963, where he reached the rank of Deputy Chief before retiring in 1988. He also owned Newby’s Custom Siding in Elgin, IL. After retirement, he moved to Arkansas and started a second life, opening a new business, Newby’s Builders, building many beautiful homes. He enjoyed lots of leisure activities, including golfing, fishing, and being part of a woodworkers club where they built toys for underprivileged children.

Bob was a hardworking and caring man. He was a committed Christian and he helped to establish the Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village, AR.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Don Sunderlage; and nephew, Steven Sunderlage. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Ellen Newby (née Hale); children, Robert L. (Ada) Newby, Cynthia (Reynolds) Dickinson, Candace (Jimmy) Buie, Ronald Newby, Derek (Jodi) Swanson, and Kurt (Aimee) Swanson; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jeremy) Marshall, Robert (Amy) Newby, Michael Newby, Ashley (Matthew) Reed, Julia Buie, Jericca Newby, Devyn Sorrell, Quincy Swanson, Luke Swanson, Abigail Swanson, and Kaitlyn Swanson; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, James S. (Lois) Hale; and three nieces and their families.

Visitation will be 4:00pm until funeral service with full military honors at 7:00pm, Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Pastor Jim Hale will be officiating.

Mourners are encouraged to review the funeral home COVID-19 public health policies ahead of time.

To access the visitation remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on safe from home via Zoom.us (Meeting ID: 889 1281 3948, Password: 100760).

A private interment will take place at Lakewood Memorial Park, 30W730 U.S. Hwy. 20, Elgin, IL 60120.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bob’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.