Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Stevens
November 6, 1937 - February 9, 2023
The Rev. Rob Stevens, Rector of St. John's, lost his beloved father on February 9th. We hold Rob, Jen, Janie, and their whole family in our prayers. During the months of Covid lockdown, Bob starting attending St. John's remotely and never looked back. He has written reflections and worshiped weekly with us for over 3 years. In that time, he and Jane came to love their connection to the St. John's community and gave invaluable support to Rob, our leader and Rector... their baby boy! The world will never be the same, and we are honored to share that his Funeral Celebration will be held at St. John's on April 15th at 2pm with live-stream.
Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Stevens, 85, of Evanston, IL died peacefully with his son & wife by his side on Thursday, February 9, 2023, in New Smyrna Beach Florida after a short stay at the hospital.
Bob was born on November 6, 1937, to Lillian & OE (Steve) Stevens in Baltimore, MD and grew up in the northern suburb of Towson with his younger sister, Lynnie. He graduated from Towson HS in 1955 & after a year at Baltimore City College transferred to Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. After completing his degree, he worked for Young Life in youth ministry and later attended Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, GA. While on Young Life staff, he met and married Jane Haught in 1962 and together they had two children, Cathy (1966) & Rob (1968).
In 1978, he was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Atlanta. Shortly thereafter he started working at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Lakeland, Florida. He helped that church grow into a parish and became their first rector. In 1987, he served as rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando, Florida until his retirement in 1998.
For Bob, family was everything and was our underpinning of support. He was loving, honest and fiercely cared about the world and those around him. He was an avid reader and a crazy sports fan. He loved the Atlanta Braves and became a huge fan of the Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse team (National Champs for 3 years in a row.) There were many nights of rare steak, good wine and lively conversation shared with family and dear friends. He most cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren. He lived a full and happy life and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Jane, sister Lynnie, son Rob (Jennifer), daughter Cathy (Rick), and 4 wonderful grandchildren, Hannah & Jack Stevens and Steve & Lillian Gustafson, and many extended family.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH and in Evanston, Illinois on May 19, 2023. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, NH, St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, Evanston, IL or Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois.
