Dr. Robert William Daniels, DDS

Dr. Robert William Daniels, DDS, of Geneseo, passed away on December 21, 2019, at his home.  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Edford Township, Geneseo.  Reverend Timothy Nerud will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Robert Daniels Memorial Fund.

Robert was born on March 23, 1934, the son of William and Blanche (Sturm) Daniels, in Geneseo.  He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1952. He attended Augustana College and Northwestern University – School of Dentistry.  He graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Northwestern in 1960.  He was a member of Delta Sigma Delta National Dental Fraternity at Northwestern.  Robert married Norma Stenzel on June 19, 1955, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where they have remained life-long members.  Robert and Norma were blessed with two sons, Dr. R. Scott Daniels, and Dr. Thomas Alan Daniels. 

Robert joined Dr. W.G. Schmelzel to practice dentistry for fourteen years.  In 1974, a new office was completed, and they relocated the practice, to what is known today as Daniels Family Dentistry.  In 1988, he was joined by his son Dr. Thomas Daniels, and they worked together until his retirement in 2007.  He was a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and the Rock Island District Dental Society for 59 years.  Robert was very active in the community. He served as a board member at large for the Rock Island District several times, and was a member and chairman of the Peer Review committee twice. He was a choir member at St. John’s for more than 25 years, and served as chairman, elder, and assistance elder, and a part of two centennial committees. He was a charter member of the Geneseo Jaycees, president of Geneseo Community Council, president of Geneseo Band Boosters, the School Accreditation Committee, Augustana Fundraising Committee, and several other committees.

Robert was very involved in youth sports and was a member of Little League baseball for several years.  He coached Little League baseball, Babe Ruth baseball, and Little League basketball.  He had a passion for music and was very involved with the school choir and band.  He started playing saxophone in grade school, and joined a Quad City dance band at age fifteen.  He began the Robert Daniels Orchestra for school dances at the request of the high school band director, Robert James.  Norma played the piano with the group, which is how they became acquainted.  Playing music in bands supplemented his college expenses.  Upon graduation from dental school, he joined the Green River Boys in 1960, and took over the leadership in 1976, and changed the name to the Green River Band.

His musical legacy extended to his grandchildren, who are all accomplished musicians. His dental legacy includes seven family members who are dentists!

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Norma; sons, Dr. Thomas (Becky) Daniels, Geneseo, Dr. Robert Scott (Julie) Daniels, Long Grove, IA; grandchildren, Erin (Alan) Rubach, Gregory (Katie) Daniels, Seth Daniels, Michael Daniels, Will Daniels, Rachel Daniels; and great-grandchild, Logan and one on the way!.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Blanche.