Dr. Robert Elghammer

After a long and productive life that spanned more than 93 years, W. Robert Elghammer, M.D. passed away on December 2, 2016. Dr. Bob was a resident of Pleasant Meadows Senior Living in Chrisman, Illinois at the time of his death. Dr. Bob was born on June 26, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Dr. H. William and Anna Stena (Peterson) Elghammer. Both parents and his only brother (Richard) preceded him in death, along with his wife and son Eric. On September 11, 1948 Dr. Bob married the love of his life, Doris E Postlewaite. Together they raised a family with four children: James of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richard and Eric of Danville, Illinois, Sally (Hornett) of Lebanon, Indiana. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Dean and Ellen of Danville, Illinois. Dr. Elghammer received his undergraduate medical education at the University of Chicago. He interned at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, served a pediatric residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and completed a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota under world-renowned pediatrician, Dr. Benjamin Spock. After serving in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946 and then the United States Public Health Service in Alaska, Dr. Elghammer began his pediatric practice in Danville, Illinois on January 16, 1953. This practice and the health and welfare of his young patients would be the passion that drove Dr. Elghammer until he retired in 2011. In 1956, Dr. Elghammer spearheaded the drive to inoculate all children of Vermillion County from polio and was known to provide free vaccinations from other diseases to children from families who could not afford to pay for them. He was instrumental in the founding of the Vermillion County Mental Health Center and the Intensive Care Nursery at Danville's Lake View Hospital. Dr. Elghammer was a founding board member of Vermillion County Head Start and was the founding president of the Vermillion County Historical Museum Society. In addition, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Danville Country Club, American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Association and the Vermillion County Medical Society. Preferred memorials may be made to Danville School #118 Foundation, the Vermillion County Museum, Presence Memorial Hospital or the First Presbyterian Church. The Celebration of Life service arrangements will be on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Pleasant Meadows Senior Living Nursing Home at 400 W. Washington Street in Chrisman, IL. Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, IL is assisting the family with arrangements. Please join Dr. Elghammer's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.