Robert F. Toalson, 83, died at 1:53pm Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Presence Covenant Medical Center in Urbana. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm Sunday, October 18th, 2015 at McKinley Presbyterian Church, 809 South Fifth Street, Champaign. There will be a reception following the service.

He is survived by his wife Dianne of Champaign; daughter Lauren Smith of Champaign; son Mark Toalson of Champaign; grandchildren Julia and William Smith of Champaign, Kirby and Noah Toalson of Philo, Illinois, and Christopher Toalson of Yorktown, Virginia; great granddaughter Isabelle Chamberlain of Philo, Illinois; brother William Toalson of Prairie Village, Kansas.

Robert was born September 7, 1932 in Dodge City Kansas. He was the son of the late Frank B. and Helen K. Toalson. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Political Science in 1954. Upon graduation he served in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer from 1954 to 1957. He served in the First Marine Division and as an executive officer for a Marine Detachment Afloat aboard the USS Columbus. Following his military service he received a master's degree in park and recreation administration from Indiana University in 1958.

After completing a year as an intern in the Philadelphia park system he moved to Oak Park, Illinois where he served as Director of Recreation for 11 years. In 1970 Robert became General Manager of the Champaign Park District. Under his leadership the National Park and Recreation Association's Gold Medal for Excellence was awarded once to Oak Park and three times to the Champaign Park District. In both Oak Park and Champaign he was awarded the title Outstanding Citizen. During his career Robert served as President of the Illinois Park and Recreation Society, President of the National Recreation and Park Association and founding member and President of the Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration. Robert taught at Indiana University, the University of Illinois and Oregon State University. He was co-author of the text Administration of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services with Dr. Lynn Rodney, Professor at the University of Oregon.

Following his retirement he served two terms on the Board of Commissioners of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, as President for part of that time. He has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Champaign County and also as campaign chair. Robert has also served as President of the Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Session at McKinley Presbyterian Church.

He was proud to have included in his Park District legacy the flower island program, the Virginia Theatre, the Springer Cultural Center and the Olympic Tribute, proud of what they each offer to the citizens of Champaign.

Robert was a quiet, unassuming man. He cherished his family. He was a fan of Illini sports and an ever-hopeful Cubs fan!

Memorial contributions may be made to the Champaign Parks Foundation, the Champaign County Forest Preserve Foundation or McKinley Presbyterian Church.