Bob’s Story

Site created on January 13, 2022

On November 11th, 2021 Pastor Bob went into Urgent Care with a low-grade fever and abdominal pain. Shortly after, we found out that he had Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer that had metastasized throughout his body. Over the last 2 months, Bob has battled faithfully, hoping to return to his ministry at Peace Chapel Assembly of God when he was well enough. On Wednesday, January 5th we were informed by our doctors that any further treatments would not be beneficial and he was placed under at home Hospice care with Lifeways the following day. On Monday, January 10th his health began to decline rapidly. 

On January 15th, 2022 he peacefully passed surrounded by his family and was reunited with his Heavenly Father.


— OBITUARTY FOR PASTOR BOB HAHN —


Pastor Robert (Bob) Hahn was born in Madison, Wisconsin on September 13, 1952 to John and Bertha (Dietrich) Hahn. From the age of 2, 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 descendant after descendant. 


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 3:00–7:00 p.m.  Pastor Bob will lie in state Friday, January 21, 2022 at First Assembly of God Church, 1741 Essington Rd., Joliet from 9:30am until the time of funeral services starting at 10:30am.  Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park. For more information, please call Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at (815) 741-5500. Please continue to share a favorite memory and your condolences in the well wishes of this site.


Funeral services for our beloved Pastor Bob will be streamed live* at 10:30am CST this Friday, 1/21/2022 on the following page: https://www.peacechapelmorris.org/pastorbob

*If for some reason there is an issue or interruption with the service, a recording of the service will be posted as a journal entry here later when it becomes available for those unable to attend in person. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Rhoda Hahn

Funeral services for our beloved Pastor Bob will be streamed live* at 10:30am CST this Friday, 1/21/2022 on the following page: PeaceChapelMorris.org/PastorBob

*If for some reason there is an issue or interruption with the service, a recording of the service will be posted as a journal entry here later when it becomes available for those unable to attend in person. 

As a reminder, if you would like to pay your respects in person, the visitation and service details are below:

Visitation will be Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet from 3:00–7:00 p.m.  

Pastor Bob will lie in state Friday, January 21, 2022 at Joliet First Assembly, 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.

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