Robert "Bob" Filson

Robert “Bob” Filson, 79, of Hampton, Illinois (formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois), passed away on July 23, 2026, at New Perspective Senior Living in Silvis, Illinois. Bob was surrounded by family after a long and courageously fought battle with a rare variant of Frontotemporal Lobe Dementia.

Memorial services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be an hour prior to services on Tuesday at the funeral home. In accordance with his wishes, Bob will be cremated. Memorials may be made to the family.

Bob was born December 26, 1946, in Huron, South Dakota, to Ralph and Ruth (Mettler) Filson. He grew up in South Dakota before his family later moved to Newton, Iowa, where he was raised alongside his siblings.

Bob married Phyllis Morrison in September 1971. He later married Pamela S. Johnson-Walz (Filson) on April 15, 1995.

Bob graduated from Newton High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in teaching from the University of Northern Iowa. He continued his education at Northeast Missouri State University, where he earned his master’s degree in industrial education.

Bob began his teaching career in 1971 as an Industrial Arts and Auto Mechanics teacher at Central High School in Davenport, Iowa. He later taught behaviorally disordered children at the Kimberly Center in Davenport, dedicating himself to students who needed extra care and patience. Bob retired from teaching in 2009 after nearly four decades of service to his students and community.

Known affectionately as “Mr. Fix It,” Bob could repair almost anything. If he ever came across a job he didn‘t already know how to do, he would order manuals and study them until he mastered the task – he never left a job unfinished.

Bob and his wife Pam loved to travel, often alongside their dear friends Mary and the late Roger Land. Together they journeyed to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and made many memorable trips to Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, and the Black Hills. Bob also cherished attending the sports events, plays, and concerts of his grandchildren, and treasured his fishing trips to the Boundary Waters with his fellow teachers and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth Filson; brothers, Larry Filson and Roger Filson; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Walz.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela S. Johnson-Walz (Filson); his children, Jean Linos (Jim), John R. Filson, Miranda Maberry (Andy), and Bradley C. Walz (Jane); his siblings, Carol Vervecka, Darlene Machin (Dick), Linda Christy, and Jim Filson; his grandchildren, Bri Simmons (Jason), Cassandra Nevarez, Eve Nevarez, Cora Linos, Marina Linos, Gracie Haskins, and Makaylee Haskins-Walz; his great-grandchildren, Tycen Wessels, Jaxson Wessels, Ryker Simmons, Ben Simmons, and Maverick Simmons; his sister-in-law, Kim Breckling; his niece, Abbey Kowynia (Kevin); and several other nieces and nephews.

Bob will be deeply missed by all who knew him, remembered for his steady hands, his patient heart, and his unwavering devotion to his family

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.