Memories for Bob

From: Delores (Sorenson) ChristianRobert McIlroy Photo

My prayers and thoughts are with the McIlroy family at this time. I too graduated from Glenburn and remember Bob even though he was older than I but sister Diane was more around my age. May God keep your families close to him in this difficult time.

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From: March and Marla Stevens

Bob always remembered his roots as has all of his family does. When Bob came back to the Glenburn area we really enjoyed visiting with him as he made frequent visits to our farm.
He always was concerned about family. He was well versed in any subject. God Bless his family.
"Thank you Jesus" as Bob would say.

We will miss him,

March and Marla Stevens

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From: Sandy Boettcher

To Bob's family: My deepest prayers of sympathy to your entire family. Sorry that I was unable to be with you on Monday. I'm teaching at Bowbells and starting a new position and school, it's difficult to get away. I spoke with Bob on Sunday, Aug 17, we were catching up since it had been several months of playing phone tag - I have a church pew in one of the quansets on the farm - we made tentative plans for me to drive to the farm and get it - Bob didn't make it until October. Bo was an inspiration to me and to many. His love of animals and nature was evident at the farm in Glenburn. Several times he mentioned the quiet and beauty and peacefulness of the prairie. I have worked with children and families for over thirty years and for this reason we had many insightful conversations. His positive "upbeat" spirit was evident in his life and work each day. He spoke lovingly of his family and his friends. He truly was an inspiration to many in his courageous battle w!
ith cancer - what a Champion! I am blessed to have known him and count Bob as one of the Hero's for children! The church pews were an "auction" purchase a few years ago and since I was renting in Minot - he agreed to store it for me! I now have a home in Columbus and would be willing to take it off your hands. I hope that he found a place for his pew in his remodeling project. I can be reached at 939-9506. A dark and treacherous thunderstorm is often followed by a rainbow. Bob would want us all to see and anticipate the rainbow - dark are our days and nights now - but there is a rainbow - may his sunshine attitude live on in all of us!
I wish you well.....
Sandy Boettcher

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From: Tamara (Tammy) McIlroy

To All Friends and Family:

Thanks to all of you for your support, kindness, care, and prayers over the past few years of my Dad's residence here in North Dakota, as well as for our family after his passing last week. "Home is where the heart is" - well, that's always been the Glenburn area for my Dad, as well as myself, and we're all so thankful for this community.

Should anyone wish to contact us for any reason whatsoever, please don't hesitate to call the below noted number. I will continue to check this site in the future. E-mail isn't a reliable contact, as I travel for work, and rarely use personal email.

Again, thank you all for your love and support during my Dad's long battle with cancer.

Tammy McIlroy
(360)892-7624 Vancouver, WA

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From: Dianne McIlroy Rush

I, like Tammy, wish to thank all of you for your kind words and heartfelt love of my brother, Bob. He has always been the "big brother hero" to me, as well as my friend. I will have a hard time adjusting to life without his presence. If you wish to contact the family for any reason you may use my email at pdrush@juno.com Thanks again to all of you, Bob's friends and family. We truly appreciate you.

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From: Joan E. McIlroy

My Dearest Bob -
I miss you so much & I know that I always will.  You are the love of my life & are still very much a part of my life. You're still present in my mind, heart and soul. We were so bonded, no matter where each of us was in the world; it seems that bond remains, even after your death.  We knew each other better than anyone else did.  I really miss sharing that instant understanding with you.  Thank you so much for sharing your life with me for over 3 decades and for the ways you helped so many people and animals in your lifetime, as well as the land we cared for so much. I wish you were still here to enjoy nature and all that life has to offer. You loved life so much that I wish you could have experienced even more of it.  Your time in ND was one factor that helped you stay strong for so much longer than anyone would have thought possible. I know you would have liked to be in 2 places at once, but we figured out a plan that worked, despite the difficulties it entailed. Thank you
 for your love and caring.  Thank you for the ways you prepared me for the time when you would no longer be here and for your advice about how to take care of myself without you.   When I want to talk with you, I know what you would say if you were here, but it's not the same, of course, as you being here. We shared many joys together and we weathered hard times together, too. You summed it up in one of our last conversations when you said "We did it." That we did, Bob. Your positive attitude was a special gift you shared with the world  and you made the world a better place for your presence.  I miss your whistling & your laughter at home,  your strong tight hugs, your presence, and so much more... I simply miss you.  ALL MY LOVE ALWAYS, BOB. Joan

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