Dr. Bernard E. Romig, 88, of Illinois City, Illinois, died at 5:24 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg.
He was born March 2, 1937, in Grant, Iowa, the son of Leland J. and Bessie M. (Fluke) Romig. Bernie was reared and educated in Grant, graduating from Atlantic High School in Cass County, Iowa in 1955. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural engineering from Iowa State University in 1959. Bernie then proudly served in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 1961. He earned the title of being a retired Captain and remained in the CE Reserve. Serving in the Army ROTC at Iowa State led to a commission in the Army followed by him receiving his Master’s Degree in 1964 and later his Doctorate in 1967 in agricultural engineering from Cornell University. Bernie graduated first of his class at each school he attended. He married the love of his life, Helene Rivers on December 27, 1969, in Moline, Illinois. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2006.
Left to cherish his memory is his bonus family- he was a special father figure to Tommy (Tammy) Gibbons, Sr. of Abingdon, Illinois, his many bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren include: Cortney (Kevin) Legate of Galesburg and their children: Dillon, Tristan, and Dalton; Tommy (Denise) Gibbons, Jr. of Rockford, Illinois and their children: Maddy and Blaine; and Heath (Jessica) Gibbons, Sr. of Galesburg and their children: Heath, Jr., Annalisa, Cameron, Channing, and Raleigh. Bernie is also survived by three special friends: Mike Angel and Scott Kave, both of East Moline, and Shella (Darren) Schneider of Winona, Minnesota and their children: Reed and Granton (Kendra). He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife of 36 years, Helene Romig.
Bernie worked as a Principal Engineer at John Deere for over 51 years until his retirement in 2017. Out of 75,000 employees, he had the achievement of being 1 in 30 to receive being a John Deere Fellow. Bernie was named a John Deere Fellow in 2016, for his expertise in motion dynamics, vehicle electrification, and technology solutions. Bernie was very intelligent. During his career, he’d been awarded for 20 patents with John Deere. His biggest one being the John Deere Sprayers. Along with Jack Wiley, he received the 2008 Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award from the Quad City Section of the ASABE for their work on tractor power hop and was the 2014 Quad City Engineering and Science Council’s Senior Engineer of the Year. He was a 66-year member of the Quad City Section of ASABE.
Bernie took on the challenge of becoming an independent pilot. He enjoyed flying and working on machinery. Bernie had a strong Christian faith and was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Moline. He was very close to his parents and loved them dearly. Bernie was a complete and utterly devoted husband. He was a great man who will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. Funeral will follow at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the funeral home. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Private burial will be at Grant Cemetery in Grant, Iowa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa State University Engineer Department. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
