It is with great sadness that we report that 4th generation owner of Oswald’s, Bob Anderson passed away on October 18th, 2024, a day before his 93rd birthday. Bob grew up in Princeton, Illinois where he graduated from Princeton High School, where he was an accomplished athlete, lettering in four different sports. He went to Knox College where he met his future wife, Jean Kester, daughter of Harold Kester, Oswald’s 3rd generation owner. They met in Chemistry 101 during their freshman year and married during their junior year.

As a college athlete, Bob was a champion swimmer. In an unparalleled accomplishment, he was undefeated in every swimming meet for all four years. He was inducted into the Knox Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a part of the ROTC program at Knox and entered the Army in 1954 after graduation as an officer.  He was stationed in Puerto Rico for two years. He left the Army in 1962, after serving in the Reserves. On his return from service, he decided to become a pharmacist and work for his father-in-law, Harold Kester.

Oswald’s Pharmacy 3rd Generation Owner

When Harold retired, he sold the pharmacy to Bob in 1977, who oversaw the modernization of the store over the next decade. Oswald’s was the first pharmacy in Naperville to fully computerize its prescription department. Bob also expanded the book business that Harold had started in 1964 as Paradise Bookshop. He doubled the size of the store on West Jefferson Street, renaming it Anderson’s Bookshop. He also opened Anderson’s Bookshop in Downers Grove and Anderson’s Bookfair company in Naperville.

Bob was active in our community as a member of the Naperville Heritage Society, President of the Rotary Club of Naperville, and a Lisle Township precinct committeeman. After 32 years in the industry, Bob sold the business to his children and retired in 1991.

Pa

During retirement, Bob and Jean traveled extensively, many times with Harold and Jean’s sister Neetsie. They have 13 grandchildren who call him Pa, all of whom grew up close and kept them busy too! Bob and Jean continued to raise and show their prized Pug dogs, something they started in the late sixties. They produced almost fifty champion Pugs over the years.

Bob loved camping with his family and folk music–especially the Weavers and Pete Seeger. He loved traveling and spending time with his family. He loved telling stories of his childhood and growing up in Princeton to his kids and grandkids.  Being the Pied Piper for his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came easy for him, as he was always a child at heart. His love for his family was ever present and his joy for them made it easy to love him in return.

How lucky we were to have him in our lives. He will be greatly missed by all.