Bob and Janet Chipman are consummate, life-long volunteers who encourage others to “Chip-in” to the community as they have done.
“I think Jacksonville is a wonderful city,” Bob Chipman said. “I feel that I am returning to the city and its citizens something that they have given to me.”
Janet, Bob’s wife of 48 years, agrees.
“There are so many dedicated volunteers in Jacksonville that give so much time, talent and treasure to various causes,” Janet Chipman said. “That makes this area a great place to live.”
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Janet Williams, from the Chapin area. and lifelong Jacksonville resident Bob Chipman met while Bob was a freshmen at Illinois College and Janet was a senior at Triopia High School. They married while they were both students at I.C. in 1973. Janet spent her professional life in education, while Bob’s career began in city government, moved to banking, and he’s been involved in the real estate business for more than three decades.
The Chipmans are strong supporters of the college from which they graduated, and many of their volunteer activities focus on the 192-year-old institution. They are co-chairs of the Illinois College Society, a philanthropic organization, and both served on the Illinois College Alumni Board. Bob continues to serve as an I.C. trustee, something he has done for 23 years, and Janet is an I.C. Smith House board member and sits on the I.C. President’s Advisory Council on Philanthropy. They both continue to judge during literary society meetings at the school.
Sons Timothy, the principal at South Jacksonville Elementary School, and Andrew, an assistant principal with the Chicago Public Schools System, both graduated from Illinois College, were Fulbright Scholars, and spent a year studying overseas. Bob and Janet have hosted international students for the college for 25 years in their Jacksonville home, and four years ago visited several of those students in Japan as part of an I.C. trip. For the past seven years Janet has been the host coordinator for the Illinois College - Ritsumeikan University of Japan exchange program.
“We really support the international students,” Janet said. “We benefit as well because we are learning from them.”
Bob and Janet are long-time United Way supporters and co-chaired the 2016 fund drive along with son Tim and daughter-in-law Stephanie, using the familial play on words “Chip In” to encourage donations. They were among the leaders pushing for the one-cent sales tax increase six years ago to help fund School District 117.
“When that vote was taken six years ago we had an election watch party with 60 people at my office,” Bob said. “When it was announced that it had passed, there was a big celebration.”
The Chipmans are also actively involved in the First Presbyterian Church, where they are both ordained elders and have taught an adult Sunday School class for the past 27 years.
“Our faith is very important to us. The Apostle Paul told Timothy to not neglect the gifts you have,” Janet said. “I think we are all called to do that.”
Individually, the Chipmans continue to make a mark on the community. Bob is the president-elect of the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce. He is the president of the Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation, an organization that his late father, Bill, helped to establish. Bob has been president of the Jacksonville Association of Realtors four times and was instrumental in establishing the organization’ Multiple Listing System.
Bob has been the president of the United Way board, the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, Passavant Hospital Board of Trustees, the Bob Freesen YMCA Board, and is a founding member of the Jacksonville Area Museum Foundation board.
Janet served on numerous committees for School District 117 while an educator with the district. She is currently on the United Way board and served on the Passavant Auxiliary board. Janet started a children’s choir at their church, and played an active leadership role in the multi-denominational Explorers Bible Study group. She has chaired two Passavant Bazaars and Janet and Bob have chaired two and performed in four Passavant Follies.
“We had wonderful parents who modeled service for us,” Janet said. “I often think that when I’m asked to do something, I am honoring my parents.”
Bob obtained a degree in history and government from Illinois College. He worked for Jacksonville Mayor Milt Hocking for a couple of years, spent ten years in the loan and marketing departments at Farmers State Bank and Trust Co., and has been with Chipman Realtors & Appraisers for 35 years.
“I always knew this would be my career path because my grandfather started the business in Rushville, my dad had it in Jacksonville, and I am the third generation in real estate sales and appraisals,” Bob said. “I enjoy helping people to buy and sell houses, seeing people achieve the house that they want, can enjoy and can afford.”
Janet taught at Triopia for four years after graduating from I.C., stayed home for ten years to raise a family, and gave piano lessons while at home. She taught for 14 years at North Elementary School and ten years at Jonathan Turner Junior High School. After retirement, Janet became a part-time English teacher at Routt Catholic High School, and starts her ninth year there this fall.
“I love school and consider myself a lifelong learner,” Janet said. “I was always drawn to a life of service and I feel that education is a serving vocation.”
Janet feels fortunate to be able to serve the community with her volunteer and professional efforts.
“We are so blessed to live in Jacksonville where we went to college and to be able to keep those ties strong,” Janet said.
Bob said the community has made him what he is today, and his volunteer service is simply a way to show his gratitude.
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Neighbors: For Chipmans, giving back to Jacksonville community a family commitment - Jacksonville Journal-Courier
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