The family of Robert Samuel Chamberlin is saddened to announce his death on Saturday, October 20, of natural causes. Robert lived at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana, and was the Director Emeritus of Campus Development at the University of Illinois. He was born November 30, 1908 and raised in Rochester, New York by his father William J Chamberlin, and his mother, Mae Louise Chamberlin. He is survived by his daughter Phyllis Mae Bartolo of The Villages, Florida and son Dennis Robert Chamberlin of Mill City, Oregon and two grandchildren, Michael and RaeAnne. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he met his future wife, Suzanne Humbert. They both graduated from University of Michigan in 1931, with Robert earning a Bachelor's degree of Landscape Architecture. They were married April 7, 1934. In the 1930's, Robert and Suzanne lived in Rochester, NY, where he designed park projects for Monroe County. He also completely redesigned and developed the estate grounds of George Eastman of Eastman Kodak. At the University of Rochester, he served as Landscape Superintendent and supervised landscape and site improvements for their new river campus. In 1937, an opportunity with the US Forest Service brought adventure and a complete change in environment. He and Suzanne moved to the Bighorn Forest district in northern Wyoming, near Tensleep. As Landscape Architect, he completed reconnaissance surveys and designed recreational areas for Region II of the US Forest Service. During this period, Bob and Suzanne lived in a primitive log cabin at about 8,000 feet in the Bighorn range using a wood stove to cook fish caught just beyond the back door. From there he did his work on foot and horseback. The campgrounds and facilities he designed are still an attractive recreational resource in the area and have been expanded and upgraded to accommodate today's greatly increased use. They shared many stories and pictures of cabin life, in what was then a near-wilderness. 1938 brought another big change in many positive ways. A position at the University of Illinois campus in Urbana- Champaign drew them to this warm community that was to be their fine home for the next 69 years. Here they forged solid friendship and bonds to the community that strengthened through their coming decades. For 34 years, until 1972, he served as Campus Landscape Architect and Director of Campus Development. His work brought beauty, order and vital provision for growth as the University grew dramatically after the war. One major achievement was the adaptation to, and recovery from diseased-caused devastation of the hundreds of stately and mature elm trees that had graced the whole campus and shaded the students as they moved between classes. This disease wiped out perhaps 85-90% of the big trees throughout the community, leaving it relatively shadeless and barren. Bob developed and implemented the replanting program, promoting the principles of selection for disease resistance and species diversity. The program became an example of national import, and ultimately resulted in an arboreal population that was more interesting and relatively resistant to severe damage by any one disease. He was instrumental in developing a similar program across Urbana and Champaign through the Champaign County Development Council. For a time, he served as Chairman of the Council. This program was of great interest to Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady from 1964-1968, and a lifetime booster of conservation and landscape beautification projects. Robert Chamberlin and the Council hosted Lady Bird Johnson and Stewart Udall, Lyndon Johnson's Secretary of the Interior, in 1974 when they visited Champaign and Urbana to help evaluate and encourage the results of CCDC projects in observation of the 10th anniversary of the council. Other notable campus projects included the relocation of the Alma Mater, and the moving of a large Beech tree from the south side of the Union Building. The tree was thought to be too large to survive moving, but Robert developed special techniques to improve the chances for the valuable tree. The techniques included allowing the excavated root ball to freeze solid in order to limit root disturbance before attempting to transport the tree. The move was a complete success, and the still-healthy Beech tree now serves as a venerable landmark between the Union building and nearby Altgeld Hall. After retiring in 1971, Robert designed and developed the landscape and grounds surrounding the Clark-Lindsey Village retirement community in Urbana. The diverse and attractive collection of trees and shrubs have been well-cared for into maturity and now offer color, shade and beauty during all four seasons for the residents and encourage them to regularly enjoy the outdoor environment. Bob and Suzanne moved to Clark-Lindsey Village in 1984, living out some of the happiest years of their lives with many close friends. Suzanne passed away in November, 2001. Robert was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Urbana. He also participated in a number of local and professional organizations, including the Urbana Rotary Club and American Society of Landscape Architects. He held leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, and worked on many of their projects at Camp Drake. The family plans to hold a Memorial Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Urbana at 10 am Thursday, Oct. 25. Also, there will be a reception in his honor at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana 2-4 pm Thursday, Oct. 25. The family encourages donations be considered for the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation, 812 Dodds Dr., Champaign, IL 61820, or the Clark-Lindsey Village Grounds Beautification Fund, 101 W. Windsor Rd., Urbana, IL 61802.