Dr. Robert K. Luther (77) of Mattoon

Dr. Robert Kent Luther, age 77, of Mattoon passed away at 7:24 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 18 at the Immaculate Conception Church, 320 North 21st Street, Mattoon. Burial with Military Rites will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the church with a Parish Prayer Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon is assisting the family.

Bob was born on August 10, 1940 in Charleston, IL the son of Eugene Clifford and Leona (Merrick) Luther. He married Judy Kay Gray on October 9, 1965.

Survivors include his loving wife, Judy Luther of Mattoon, IL; daughters, Kari (Christopher) Rosbeck of Silver Springs, MD and Dana Luther of Richmond, VA; grandsons, Trent Luther Carlson, Bradey Robert Carlson, Liam Mark Carlson and Rhys Joel Carlson; and brother, Clayton (Harleen) Luther of Olney, IL.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; half-brother, William Oliver; sister, Betty Jean Howarth; and granddaughter, Noell Sophia Carlson.

Bob graduated from Charleston High School, class of 1958. He served honorably in the United States Army for four years as a Korean Linguist. Bob received his Ph.D from the University of Michigan and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University. During his career, Bob served as President of Columbia-Greene Community College in New York, and Acting President and Vice President and Dean of Students at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Dean of Students and teacher at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Resident Unit Administrator at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Foreign Student Advisor at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and taught at the University of Michigan. Bob was appointed the fourth president of Lake Land College on July 1, 1988 and served until June 30, 2006. The Luther Student Center on the college’s campus is named after him. Bob served on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees from 2011 until this year. Bob was the recipient of the Agriculture Education Advocacy Award of Illinois, and Coles Together Person of the Year Award. Bob served as past President of Coles Together and the East Central Illinois Development Corporation and past President of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents. He was twice elected as the Student Body President at Eastern Illinois University and was awarded the Who’s Who award in Politics of the South and among students. He was a member of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Board and the St. Mary’s Hospital Board in Galesburg. Bob was an avid Michigan fan. He enjoyed politics and had visited 37 state capitals. He was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather.

Memorial donations in his honor can be made to; Lake Land College Foundation for the Robert K. Luther Endowment, 5001 Lakeland Boulevard, Mattoon, IL 61938.