Robert A. Vigna

Robert Anthony “Vigs” Vigna, PhD, 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at The Atrium surrounded by his loving wife Kathy after a long eight year battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born on May 11, 1945 in Rochester, New York to Anthony F. and Rose C. (Piscitello) Vigna. He was a graduate of Aquinas Institute in Rochester New York in 1963, followed by the University of Windsor in 1967. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Katherine (Kathy) Reynell on August 12, 1967 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, New York. They started their married life at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where both of their sons were born and where he subsequently earned his PhD in Biochemistry in 1973. From there Bob accepted a post-doctoral fellowship position at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. working in the laboratory of a Nobel Laureate. His research was reported in several protein chemistry and other peer reviewed journals. His doctoral thesis was the culmination of years of research into the myoglobin of the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin and California Sea Lion.

In 1975, he joined Pierce Chemical Company / ThermoFisher Scientific in Rockford Illinois as a Product Manager. During that time, he enjoyed working in a team environment with his peers and being on the front end of innovative new products that served the research laboratory marketplace. After a successful career serving in a variety of positions in protein chemistry product development, Bob retired in 2007 after 32 years. He took great pride in his work and had the respect of all whom he knew and worked with over those years.
After retirement, Bob chose to leverage his experience by becoming a certified Pharmacy Technician working part time in the Swedish American Hospital Pharmacy for 3 years before finally retiring for good in 2011. He developed some lasting friendships in this new career.
Bob was an avid supporter and volunteer in all of his family’s activities including most notably many years of involvement with the Phantom Regiment Cadets and the Phantom Regiment. From bus driver to Asst. Cadets Corps Director to board member and super fan, he rarely missed a performance over the years both of his sons were members. In addition, he was always present to support his wife in her career and volunteer activities that often included him as a super volunteer as well. He was an inspiration to his family and was very much loved and respected.

He enjoyed all sports and was an avid long distance bicycle rider enjoying rides along rail trails with his family and friends. The highlight of his riding was the 400 mile organized ride along the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany New York in 2014. Another passion was running having completed several 5K, 10K and half marathons across the country. He was an active member of Alpine Kiwanis and other professional organizations through the years.
The family wishes to thank The Atrium for being a home away from home for Bob for over 3 years. The staff truly loved him and treated him as one of their own family. And, special thanks to Northern Illinois Hospice for their care and concern for Bob especially in his last days. Extraordinary support by all when it was needed the most. The family is most grateful.

Bob is survived by his wife; children, John (Janet), and Brian (Rachel); grandchildren, Bradley and Benjamin Vigna, Emma, Erin and Allison Vigna; sister, Sister Marlene Vigna RSM; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Sue) and John (Norma) Reynell; nephews, Ian (Anne) and Matthew Reynell; (Godson) and great niece, Cora and great nephew, Quinn Reynell. Predeceased by his parents, sister-in-law, Judy; cousins, aunts and uncles and very special friend, Larry Schewe.

A visitation for Robert will take place on, Friday, May 28, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Funeral Mass at 11:00a.m., Saturday, May 29, 2021 at St. Rita Catholic Church. 6254 Valley Knoll Dr. Rockford, IL 61109. Masks are required and social distancing is encouraged. For those unable to attend the service on Saturday, it will be live streamed via zoom. Please go to www.zoom.us, meeting id: 8102906045 and passcode: 1234. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Alpine Kiwanis, P.O. Box 5132, Rockford, IL 61125, Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, 7135 Clinton Road, Loves Park, IL 61111, or Indiana University Chemistry Department, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com