Robert F. Baxter (“Bob”), age 91, of Highland, IN, passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2026. Bob was born in Nauvoo, IL, to Richard “Dick” and Eula (Wilkens) Baxter. Preceded in death by an infant son, brothers Tom and Dan and twin sisters, Mary and Martha.
Soon after his formative years, Bob began working on the barges for Mobil Oil on the Mississippi River. Wanting to make a better life for his growing family, he moved his family and began working for Inland Steel traveling the Great Lakes hauling iron ore, steel, rock, and more. With Vera’s help, Bob studied to become the youngest to earn licenses in steam and diesel engines with unlimited power to move up the ranks to eventually become a Merchant Marine Chief Engineer. Since he was licensed to work on all engines, he would eventually sail on every ship in Inland Steel’s fleet and was sailing on the Joseph L. Block at retirement.
To document his experiences on the Great Lakes, Bob authored the book “Hey You!,” which is still being offered on Amazon. Bob has entertained many audiences with live recantations of his experiences, including searching for survivors when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on November 10, 1975.
Beyond his career, Bob became interested in the world of antique clocks and pocket watches. This led him to establish the first NWCA (National Watch and Clock Association) Peace Pipe Chapter 83, which is still active today.
When Erie Lackawanna abandoned the railroad property through Highland, Bob developed an incredible idea to transform this property into a hiking/biking trail geared toward wellness and community use. Thus, he sought the donation of the land from the railroad, coordinated dozens of volunteers to manufacture and set a bridge over Cady Ditch comprised of steel donated by local manufacturers, making this concept a reality. Adjacent towns and cities eventually connected to this expanse, making this nearly county-wide bike trail still used today by hundreds of bicycling and jogging enthusiasts.
He was instrumental in the formation of the Nauvoo Historical Society, donating many Icarian artifacts for visitors to admire and learn about his ancestry. The Baxter Winery (Nauvoo, Illinois), originally owned by his ancestors, is still operating today by family and is the oldest active winery operating in the state of Illinois.
