Robert Eugene "Bob" Brent, 77, of Aurora, IL passed away on May 5, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 20, 1939 in Thackery, IL.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice R. (Rausch) Brent; his children, Mark (Kristen) Brent and Ann Marie (Joseph) Pawlisz; his grandchildren, Cameron, Robert, Courtney, Braden, Morgan, Tyler, and Kylee; his sister Beverly Williams; his brother Gary Brent; his brother-in-law Dr. Richard Olson; and many loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Howard Brent and Mary Lorene Brent McChesney; and his sister Verla Olson.
Bob served on the Aurora Police Department for twenty eight years, including twelve years as Chief of Police. During his police career, Bob received advanced training at the University of Louisville, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Law degree from LaSalle Extension University of Chicago. He received training at the FBI Academy and the US Secret Service Academy. He served on the adjunct faculty of Aurora University and the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois.
While with the Aurora Police Department, he was a member of one of the area's first SWAT teams, served on the Presidential family and candidate protection details, and acted as Chief of Detectives before becoming the youngest Chief of Police for a city and police department of Aurora's size in the country at that time.
Following his retirement from the Aurora Police Department in 1989, he joined Alarm Detection Systems, Inc of Aurora, IL for fifteen years as their Director of Public Relations.
Bob was an active and dedicated community volunteer and leader throughout his entire life. He began serving as a Scout leader before he had any children of his own, and remained active in Scouting for many years. He was especially proud of his involvement in Kiwanis Club. During his forty- four years with the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, he served as Club President and was Kiwanian of the Year. He was also responsible for the creation of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Aurora. One of his proudest professional accomplishments was founding the Aurora Area CrimeStoppers. He was a long-time member of the Juvenile Protective Association, and an active member in the Illinois and International Associations of Chief of Police, along with many other professional and law-enforcement organizations. Bob was a committed member of the leadership of civic organizations, such as the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the former Mercy Hospital Foundation Board, and other church and civic clubs. He was a member of Holy Angels Church in Aurora. Bob is remembered for his activity and leadership, love of his community and desire to "Protect and Serve", and the way he showed loved every day to his wife, family, and friends. He loved traveling with his wife, golf and fishing; but he loved nothing more than camping with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.
Funeral from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY will be Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 9:30am to Holy Angels Church at 10:00am. Fr. Michael Lavan will officiate with interment at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2016 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. Please visit our interactive website at
www.daleidenmortuary.com
where you may leave condolences for Bob's family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Robert E. Brent may be made to Aurora Area CrimeStoppers or the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.