Robert "Rob" Cawood

Robert "Rob" Cawood, 68, of Pinckneyville, IL, formerly of Robinson, IL, passed away January 10, 2022, in Pinckneyville. He was born October 23, 1953, in Robinson, the son of Robert & Juanita Kathryn "Kate" (Coombes) Cawood. He grew up in the Flat Rock area, where he attended school until it shut down. He would spend his high school years in Robinson and was a 1971 graduate of RHS. Right out of high school, he found employment with L.S. Heath. This began a near-50-year career in the line maintenance department before retiring just a few years ago. Anyone who knew Rob could attest to his all-consuming passion for cars and racing. So deep was his love that the man was irritated to miss out on a drag race because his daughter's birth was taking too long! In addition to drag racing, he was also involved with stock car racing for a decade before transitioning to showing cars. The proud owner of a '67 Chevelle, a '69 Camaro, and an '83 Monte Carlo, Rob submitted them to car shows alongside his friends from the Crawford County Collectables Car Club. Though he showed cars throughout the region, the most important one was always at the Heath Harvest Festival in Robinson. Needless to say, much of his free time was spent in his garage or driving around junkyards with his brother Dave, looking for a diamond in the rough. He was proud to have restored his Chevelle and Camaro into the fine automobiles they are today. However, he was even more proud to hand them off to his grandchildren. It was evident that they were the apples of their grandpa's eye, as he was a staple at their various ballgames through the years. He also loved taking them on trips to destinations like St. Louis, where they would visit the zoo and take in ballgames at Busch Stadium. A lover of travel, he also was able to take in the sights of the American South and enjoyed visiting Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Alexandra Paul once said, "The cars we drive say a lot about us." As we reflect on the life of Rob Cawood, may we always remember a classic! On November 25, 1972, he married Doris Flenner, and she survives. He is also survived by his children, Mike Cawood (Whiteland, IN) and Michelle & Eli Alspach (Pinckneyville, IL); by his grandchildren, Emily, Austin, and Brooke; by his brothers & sisters-in-law, Doug & Terrie Cawood (Lawrenceville, IL) and Larry & Mary Jane Cawood (Robinson, IL); by his sisters & a brother-in-law, Linda & Joe Spade (Bridgeport, IL) and Sandy Redman (Robinson, IL); as well as several nieces & nephews and great-nieces & great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother & sister-in-law, David & Mary Cawood. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Family and friends are invited to wear racing apparel as a tribute to this racing fan. Funeral services will immediately follow the visitation and be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery. In honor of this car enthusiast, it is requested that if you own a classic car, you'd bring it to include in the procession. Memorials may be made to either the "Flat Rock Playground" Project, or to the "Crawford County Collectables Car Club." Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.