Bob Westberg, formerly of Carbondale
Beloved husband, father, uncle and friend, Bob Westberg, 74, passed away unexpectedly on May 16, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.
Bob was born on Nov. 3, 1951, in Raleigh, N.C., to William Carl and Helen (Groff) Westberg. He married Beverly Henderson on June 9, 1979, in Carbondale.
Bob received bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and psychology from Purdue University in 1973 and attended graduate school in business administration at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He worked his entire career as a computer programmer/analyst for the State of Illinois in the departments of the Environmental Protection Agency, Public Aid, and Division of Human Resources.
Throughout his life, Bob was very active in competitive sports — baseball in his youth, basketball for Carbondale Community High School, and competitive volleyball as an adult. His favorite pastimes and hobbies included chess, juggling, telling pretty bad jokes to friends, collecting sports memorabilia, traveling around the country with family and friends, and coaching youth basketball and baseball for his son's teams. During the last several years, he found great satisfaction in weekly Zoom calls chatting with old friends, hanging out with his son, and expanding his knowledge and creative pursuits with Al technology. He was an active member of the Springfield Vegetarian Association, serving as co-leader for several years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Carbondale as a youth, then a member of Laurel United Methodist Church in Springfield from 1993 to 2005. He became an active member of the local Baha'i Faith starting in 2005, where he was involved in interfaith and race unity issues.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Bill Westberg; and older brother William G. Westberg of Fenton, Mich.
He is survived by his wife, Bev; son Brian Robert Westberg; and several sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family will receive friends at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 22 at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, followed by the ceremony at 3 p.m.
Burial will be held on Saturday, May 23 at noon at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale.
Memorial contributions may be made to WILD Thrift & Sniff, Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, or donor’s choice.
Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.