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Robert is very active in the Salem Baptist Church where
he has served as Youth Director, Sunday School Teacher,Sunday
School Superintendent and Percussionist. His Sunday School
students call him "Mr. Phinney," after the teacher
on the television program "Boy Meets World" who
has high expectations for all of his students and a reputation
for challenging and encouraging them to be the best they
can be. Robert can always be counted on to lend a helping
hand by creating scenery and special effects in support
of church and school plays and activities.
His commitment to youth and education is evident in his
service on school and community committees and organizations
including the Urbana School District 116 Equity Steering
Committee and Citizens Concerned with Quality Education
(CCQE). His desire to give back to his community is also
evident in his long-time service on the City of Urbana's
Community Development Commission and his recent appointment
to the City's Comprehensive Plan Update.
Robert has utilized his talents and interests in the arts
and engineering to pursue several career areas including
architecture and product design and development. To family
and friends, Robert is known as a "jack-of-all-trades,"
"Mr. Fix-It," and "Mr. Wizard." In general,
someone who can make, build, or fix anything and everything.
He is constantly looking for new projects to build or design
and takes pleasure in working on a new painting or sculpture
piece, knocking down a wall to remodel his home, restoring
or repairing cars.
His work led to the issuance of two U.S. patents in his
name, one for a structural plastic seat design and the other
for a low voltage lighting system. Robert looks forward
to participating and sharing information about his engineering
and design work through such activities as the annual local
Black History Month program that highlights the work of
Black scientists and inventors. Robert's design and engineering
background has also enabled him to work with several area
churches on facility expansion, remodeling and new construction.
Despite being born with Factor IX Hemophilia, a disabling
and life-threatening blood disorder, Robert has and continues
to defy the predictions and astound his doctors with his
physical condition. He has been a guest lecturer to medical
students from the University of Illinois/Carle Clinic about
his experiences and treatment as a hemophiliac. Robert truly
believes that his "victories" have come as a result
of his faith in God and the prayers of many people in his
life. Robert is thankful for many individuals who have inspired,
motivated and mentored him over the years. He is especially
grateful to his mother and father for their spiritual guidance
and for providing a strong family environment; to his uncle,
Jeff Davis, for his father-like care and nurturing; to the
Rev. W. H. Donaldson, his long-time pastor, for his spiritual
guidance and encouragement; to Lorenzo Wylie, who encouraged
him and gave him the opportunity to expand his mechanical
aptitude; and to Robert Scaggs for sharing his knowledge
as a structural engineer.
Married to the former Rosalind Johnson, Robert is the proud
father of two children, Eric of Wilmington, DE and Nicole
of Tallahassee, FL, who are fulfilling educational and professional
goals that were encouraged and supported since their early
childhood
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