Celebrating Dr. Robert Williams

Dr Robert Williams with Dr Mary Hobbs, Rivers Project booth Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration

Dr. Robert Williams, Dr. Bob, was the creator of the Illinois Rivers Project. Beginning in 1990 and ending in 2006, his project trained hundreds of teachers across subject areas and across 23 states.

“The Illinois Rivers Project was developed as an integrated, multidimensional science/technology/society pilot project designed to introduce water quality dimensions into Illinois high schools. The project involved high school science, social science, and English teachers in an integrated study of their local river and community.“ Student water quality testing data was entered into a computer data system and reported to USFWS and Illinois EPA. (In fact The Illinois RiverWatch Network stemmed from this innovative use of student/citizen science)

These high school students and teachers met annually as a STUDENT CONGRESS to learn from each other and experts. They met first in Quincy, IL and then in Peoria, IL.

In 1993, the Sun Foundation collaborated with Dr. Bob and the Illinois Rivers Project and the Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration was created to share high school students' work, experts and more with upper elementary and middle school students in Central Illinois on the Monday following the annual Rivers Project Student Congress.

Perhaps you had the chance to meet Dr. Bob. He presided at the opening ceremonies for our event, calling us to a Parade of Waters symbolizing how all waters are connected. He was our first MC at our keynotes. You might have met him at his Illinois Rivers Project booth in the exhibit hall with Dr. Mary Hobbs.

He connected so many people in his love for our rivers! Thank you Dr. Bob!

Dr. Robert Aura Williams, age 83, of Bandera, Texas passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. https://www.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/austin-tx/robert-williams-11949697