Robert Irwin Valentine Sr., 95, of Champaign, Illinois passed away in the early morning hours of September 6, 2013 at Presence Covenant Medical Center, Urbana.

Born on May 27, 1918 in Terre Haute, Indiana, he was the son of Anthony and Eva Bishop Valentine. He married Mabel Hill Selby on August 30, 1943 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2012.

He is survived by one son, Dr. Robert I. Valentine, Jr. (Sally D.) of Huntington Beach, California, son George Valentine deceased, (Julie K.) of Savoy, grandchildren: Robert A. Valentine of Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Amy V. Alaluf (Dr. Gershon Alaluf) of Newport Beach, California, and Timothy S. Valentine of Champaign, Illinois. In addition, he has three great granddaughters in Newport Beach, California named Madeline, Sadie, and Josie Alaluf. He was preceded in death by his sister Helen V. Yunker, son George H. Valentine, and granddaughter Sarah E. Valentine.

Mr. Valentine was a 1941 graduate of Indiana State Teacher's College (Terre Haute, Indiana) with an AB degree, majoring in Biological Sciences. He also attained a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois in 1954. He was employed by the Army Air Corps at Chanute field in Rantoul, Illinois in 1941 as a civilian engineering instructor. From 1942-1943, he served at Seymour Johnson Air Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina where he developed curriculum materials for publication. From 1943 until 1946, he served in the Army Air Corps as a B24 bomber crew member with the 380th bomb group 528th squadron, Fifth Air Force with the Foreign Service in the Philippines and Okinawa. Following discharge from the military in 1946, he returned to civilian employment in the Technical School at Chanute as a supervisor of instruction, as a writer of technical materials, and as a department supervisor of writers and training specialists in developing publications. From 1968-1971, he became part of a training research team who developed and applied statistical research study projects for the improvement of training effectiveness in AF Technical Schools. In 1970, he presented a research paper at a symposium of the American Psychological Association at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to his retirement in 1974, he was Chief of Aircraft and Missile Specialized Systems in the AF Technical School at Chanute.

Following retirement, he was employed by the Sangamon Valley Public Water District where he was instrumental in developing publications for the State of Illinois approval of the Operations and Maintenance Manuals for that district. From 1980-1985, he was employed by the University of Illinois in Student Registration for the Office of business Affairs.

Mr. Valentine was an active member of the Elks, Moose Lodge, and Lions Club in Champaign. He was active member of the local First United Methodist Church since 1946, first in Champaign and more currently, in Urbana. Donations in memory of Mr. Valentine can be made to The First United Methodist Church, at 304 Race Street, Urbana, Illinois.