Robert “Robb” F. Strack, 85, of Galesburg, Ill., recently of North Barrington, Ill., passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023. He was born on December 31, 1937, in Milwaukee to the late Leroy and Marjorie (nee Fraser) Strack.
On June 13, 1964, he married Sonja Lande in Birchwood, Wis. Together they shared interests of travel, family visits, Scandinavian traditions and the Green Bay Packers. They celebrated 36 years of marriage until her death in 2000.
Robb attended Iowa State University and broadcasting school, with his first on-air radio job offer in Hayward, Wis., in the early 1960s. The decision to take the job was serendipitous: It is where Robb launched his lifelong radio career and met his lifelong soulmate, Sonja.
Robb’s radio career later moved to stations in Clinton, Iowa, and then Galesburg, Ill., where he worked for more than 30 years for WGIL and WAIK stations as a morning radio host and sports broadcaster. He was notably known in Western Illinois as the “Voice of the Silver Streaks” for Galesburg High School sports, Knox College, Carl Sandburg College, and Galesburg Legion baseball with longtime radio partner and friend Dick Lindstrom. He cheered for school athletes with in-depth features and made them feel like stars. Robb planned for every playoff season, always with high hopes for the teams he covered. He traveled frequently throughout Illinois and special trips to Florida and Arizona to bring stories back to the community.
He was ‘The soundtrack of Silver Streaks sports.’ Remembering Robb Strack
Following retirement from WAIK, Robb continued to work as a sports writer for the Register-Mail news into his 80s. A career highlight was being inducted into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame with the Silver Streaks Radio Broadcasters Award in 2009.
His sons and grandchildren could count on Robb — known to them fondly as “Grandpa Bob” — to mark his calendar to attend choir and band concerts, recitals and graduations, and cheering from the sidelines of youth sports. An ardent Cubs fan, Robb loved to attend games with his family at Wrigley Field. He regularly sent birthday and anniversary cards and asked for Christmas lists by October to get a jump on shopping. The family was always together at Christmas, his favorite holiday.
Robert is survived by his devoted sons, Eric L. Strack of Minneapolis, Steven R. Strack (Amy) of Hainesville, Ill., and Jonathon F. Strack (Stephanie) of North Barrington; beloved grandchildren Annika Strack and Linnea Strack of Hainesville, and Joren Strack and Kalen Strack of North Barrington; loving sister Susan Bischmann (Kenneth) of Waukesha, Wis.; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and parents.
A private interment will be held at East Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.
