Dr. Robert L. Rockey

Dr. Robert L. Rockey, 81, a retired Freeport physician, died Sunday morning, December 11, 2016 in his home. Bob was born August 10, 1935 in Freeport, IL, the son of Victor and Marie (Appenzeller) Rockey. Linda Asche and Bob were married on September 16, 1978. Bob was a 1953 graduate of Freeport High School, attended the University of Illinois from 1953-1956 where he received his Bachelors of Science, and continued on at the University of Illinois College of Medicine where he graduated in 1960. Bob did both his internship, from 1960-1961, and his residency, from 1961-1964, at Cook County Hospital where he specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served his country from 1964-1966 as a U.S. Army Captain at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN where he was Chief OB/GYN. During the Vietnam War, Bob had a brief tour at Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam. Dr. Bob spent his career as an OB/GYN in Freeport, IL, where he practiced from 1966-2005 while on the active medical staff of Freeport Memorial Hospital. Dr. Rockey, along with his father and a small group of physicians, founded the Freeport Medical Clinic in 1970. He received his certification from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1968, and recertification in 1978. His professional organizations included the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and Stephenson County Medical Society. Dr. Bob was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ where he was a member of the Trust Committee. Additionally, Bob was active in the Golden K Kiwanis Club and the AMVETS. Bob, a 32nd Degree Mason, was a 50 year member of the Evergreen Lodge, a 50 year member of the Valley of Freeport Scottish Rites Bodies, a 50 year member of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford, a founding member of Freeport Shrine T-Ten parade unit in 1963, and a member of Freeport Masonic High Twelve Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and cheering on the Chicago Bears. Bob, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, is survived by his wife Linda of Freeport, IL; two sons Brian (Margaret) Steinhagen of Burr Ridge, IL and Christopher (Joan) Rockey of Oak Park, IL; three daughters Anne (Brian) Hopkins of Barrington, IL, Rebekah (Scott) Cawley of North Brook, IL, and Kristine Steinhagen of LaGrange Park, IL; his sister Rose Marie (Lamoine) Moll of Shannon, IL; his brother David (Debra) Rockey of Freeport, IL; his brother-in-law Larry (Diane) Asche of Naples, FL; eleven grandchildren Parker Cawley, Garrett Hopkins, Reed Cawley, Paige Cawley, Mitchell Hopkins, Ben Steinhagen, Ellery Rockey, Maeve Cawley, Hadley Rockey, Katie Steinhagen, and Cooper Rockey. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday December 15, 2016 at Bethany United Church of Christ in Freeport. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport, with a Masonic Service beginning at 7:00 P.M. there will also be a visitation from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at Bethany United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his online guestbook and to share memories.