Professor Robert Donalson

Robert Donalson died Dec. 22, 2021. He was 87. Bob was a professor in Illinois Wesleyan’s School of Music for 30 years; he retired in 1994 with emeritus status. Bob felt the call to become an educator while serving in the U.S. Army in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War. He obtained a master’s degree at San Jose State University and a doctorate at the University of Colorado Boulder. He began his teaching career at Pepperdine University before landing at IWU. Bob loved beauty in all its forms — nature, art and poetry among them — but music was his emotional home. He was active in religious life and often shared his gift of music in the church. Bob was always learning and educated himself on subjects ranging from theology and philosophy, to computer science and financial investing, to home repair and carpentry. He enjoyed traveling, sports, his cats and, most of all, his family. He is survived by his wife, five children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Bob’s Celebration of Life will be held on February 12 at 1 p.m. CST and will be live-streamed at christlutheranchurchffg.org.

Dr. Christopher Udovich ’93 Named Top Doctor

Dr. Christopher Udovich ’93 was named Best Doctor in NWI The Times Southland’s Best Healthcare Series. He works at Silver Cross Hospital as vice president and chief medical officer, where he is responsible for aligning the efforts of the hospital and the medical staff and driving excellence in quality, safety and health outcomes.

After IWU, Chris attended Loyola University for Medical School and has been at Silver Crosss since 2001. Congratulations on this award.

Bruce Bennett ’93

Bruce Bennett ’93 recently joined Benson Hill’s Executive Leadership Team as President of its Ingredients business segment. Benson Hill, based in St. Louis, MO, is a food tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants with its cutting-edge food innovation engine. In this newly created role, Bennett will oversee global operations and adoption of Benson Hill’s ingredients portfolio for the growing plant-based protein market to enable more nutrient-dense, better-tasting, and sustainable food.