Eller-Isaacs, Robert Lewis "Rob" b. 11/7/51, d. 7/23/22 "Rob" Eller-Isaacs was born in Chicago, IL to Rosalia P. Isaacs and Alexander "Al" J. Isaacs. He grew up, along with his sister Jane, and loved exploring the neighborhood and its many wonders. Rob was one of the founding members of the Chicago Children's Choir, providing him with the vision and reality of an authentic multicultural community. His teenage years were shaped by the brokenness and the beauty of that city and by the life-long friends he made at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago and through Liberal Religious Youth. It was late in his adolescence that he first felt called to the ministry. Rob spent almost 50 years in the ministry, a nearly lifelong vocation. A tireless activist for justice, but most especially for racial justice, Rob lived in the understanding that building the beloved community was a lifelong commitment that required steady and tireless engagement. In 1979, Rob married Janne E. Eller and so began the Eller-Isaacs family. His devotion to his ministry and the UU faith was matched only by his steadfast love and commitment to Janne and his children. Janne joined him in the ministry in 1986 and they served churches in Oakland, CA and St. Paul for 36 years. Rob's time at Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul was incredibly satisfying for him as a minister. He was persistent in pushing the congregation to dig deep and find the best of themselves. He was so proud of the work they accomplished together. Rob's passions and strong opinions were many. He and Janne traveled the world, appreciating natural wonders, art and architecture, and most of all delicious food. He was grounded in a vision for what was possible in each life, and certainly in his own. He engaged in daily spiritual practices and held all to the same standard of discipline, expansion, and soulfulness. He was a voracious reader and loved to memorize poems, carrying the beauty of words with him wherever he went. His love of singing was lifelong and he could sing hundreds of songs by heart, across genres and traditions, late into the night. Rob is survived by his wife Janne Eller-Isaacs, his children Jonah Eller-Isaacs, Jessie Eller-Isaacs, and Hannah Franco-Isaacs, along with their spouses Andy Anderson Furgeson and Tim Franco-Isaacs and grandchildren Lewis, Mira, and Levi, along with many friends whom he considered family.

Published on July 31, 2022