Robert Jack Christ

Robert Jack Christ, age 97 passed away on January 14, 2026, at Silver Cross Health and Rehabilitation in Rock Island, Illinois. The family will hold a private graveside burial at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery. Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline are assisting the family. He was a scientist, coach, beloved dad, and husband.

Robert (Bob) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 24, 1928, the son of Harry William and Irma Josephine Beresh Christ. He attended Milwaukee public schools, the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and graduated cum laude in 1952 with a Materials Engineering & Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, WI. where he also served as an instructor assistant. In 1948 he married Carrol Ann Helen George his high school sweetheart, at the First Congregational Church in Waukegan, IL. After their first son, Dean, was born in Milwaukee, the family moved in 1952 to Moline. II. where he joined Deere and Company. While living in Moline, Bob and Carrol increased the family size with an additional son, Randall, and daughter Valerie. He retired from Deere in 1992 as the company's Senior Staff Engineer and Senior Scientist, with 40 years of service to the company.

In 1966 Bob and family moved to Heidelberg, Germany for a six-year assignment as senior manager of materials engineering for the Deere's operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, the family traveled extensively, enjoying the various cultures of 29 different countries. The entire family also enjoyed and mastered down-hill snow skiing.

He was an adjunct instructor in metallurgical science at Black Hawk College, Moline. He was a member of professional engineering organizations: ASM International, Society of Automotive Engineers, and American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. He was a member of The American Foundrymen’s' Society, The Ductile Iron Society, The American Society for Testing and Materials, and The American National Standards Institute, serving in officer positions in each of the various organizations. Throughout his working career, Bob appeared at numerous local and international engineering forums to share his material and manufacturing knowledge. He published over 30 technical articles, authored two books on metallurgical science, and held 15 patents.

Following his 1992 retirement from Deere, Bob formed his own materials engineering consulting firm: providing contract services to industry, governmental agencies, and technical organizations. Bob also served as assistant Technical Director for the Ductile Iron Society during this period. He then retired once more in 2000, and with Carrol continued to call Moline his home. After 67 years of a wonderful life together, Carrol passed away on February 4th, 2016.

While Bob was as busy as heck, he always had time for the family. In Moline he was active in youth community services as a cub scout and boy scout leader, Quad City Science Fair officer, and with local schools Dads' Club sport programs. He was also a great family coach. Bob and his family were members at the First Congregational Church, where he served as an usher and taught junior high school level Sunday school. He had been a member of The Moline Elks Club, and together with his wife Carrol, were accomplished ballroom dancers with the Quad Cities Terpsichorean Club.

Through his life he was avid photographer, creating a massive slide library of family and world travels; He was an outdoorsman, particularly enjoying annual extended beach vacationing in Mexico or South Florida. When the kids were young, we spent every weekend picnicking, hiking, and swimming throughout the area

Survivors (and spouses) include: sons, Dean Wayne (Joan), Oak Park IL, Randall Warren, Moline IL; and daughter Valerie Lynn (Paul) Carper, Ashland, OH; grandchildren, Megan and Zachary Christ of Oak Park IL, Christen, Courtney, Carper of Ashland OH, and Ryan Carper of Canton OH; and Great grandchildren Carson and Grayson of Ashland, OH and Maximus and Roman Carper of Canton, Ohio.

Bob’s Parents, Harry William, and Irma Josephine Beresh Christ, and a brother, Howard William, preceded him in death.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.