Obituary of Pastor Robert J. Hahn
Pastor Robert (Bob) Hahn was born in Madison, Wisconsin on September 13, 1952 to John and Bertha (Dietrich) Hahn. From the age of two, Bob grew up in the Chicago suburbs of Elmhurst, Illinois, mostly preferring to watch TV and listen to music over playing sports (which was more of his brother, Tom’s, obsession). This stayed with him throughout his life as he enjoyed the nostalgic “simpler time” of TV, movies, cars, music, and comedy from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Though he was a natural sprinter in track while attending York High School, he fell in love with singing in choir which continued into his college years after graduating in 1970. In college, his passion continued while he developed his vocal gift and double majored in Marketing and Business at Western Illinois University. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1974.
Over the next few years, he worked in insurance sales while he dedicated his life to Christ at a church service after being invited by a friend. During this time, he was called into the ministry, got married to the love of his life, Janine Schoob, in June of 1976, started attending North Central Bible College (now University) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education in 1978, where he was one of the first to specialize in Children’s Ministry.
After college, he started his full-time vocational ministry at Eden Prairie Assembly of God in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (1979–81) and was then led to First Assembly of God in Joliet (1981–2012), serving both churches as the beloved Children’s Pastor and impacting countless children who came through his “Junior Church” with his trailblazing approach to ministry to make the Bible fun through his own characters, magic tricks, illustrations, puppets, music and more. That time not only touched the lives of children but also their parents. This deeply rooted and engaging biblical teaching has transcended generations as his ministry was passed along to descendent after descendent.
Pastor Bob went above and beyond throughout the years as a regular speaker at Trinity Christian School Chapel, Kids Crusades, Kids Camps, Royal Ranger gatherings, leading senior adult ministries, and many more. In 2012, he became the Senior Pastor at Peace Chapel First Assembly of God in Morris, Illinois where he continued to love and minister to everyone he met until his passing on January 15th, 2022.
Throughout his life, you could find Pastor Bob on the local golf course. He always carried his clubs (occasionally even playing a quick round with just a 7 iron), was always on the lookout for stray golf balls, and would regularly give out his own “awards” to the players in his group. He always made things more fun (and funny). With both his family, friends, and colleagues (including The Parsons Four Quartet) he would frequently let movie lines and comedic “one-liners” just come out before he even knew it was happening.
He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Janine (Schoob) Hahn, his two sons, Philip (Chanda) Hahn and Steven (Rhoda) Hahn, and his five grandchildren, Aiden, Ashley, Simon, Grayson, and Micah.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother, Thomas Hahn, and two sisters, Susan Hahn and Kathryn Waddell.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Pastor Bob will lie in state Friday, January 21, 2022 at First Assembly of God Church, 1741 Essington Rd., Joliet, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral services starting at 10:30.a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500. Friends and loved ones may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com or www.caringbridge.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence to the family.
