Robert Gehlmann Bone

Robert Gehlmann Bone was born in Springfield, Illinois on June 2, 1906. His father, Eugene E. Bone, worked as a court judge in Springfield for many years. Robert Bone was educated in the public school system surrounding Springfield, completing his high school education there.[2] The Bone family, more famously, neighbored United States' soon-to-be President, Abraham Lincoln. Robert's grandparents were familiar with the family and spent time with them during their residency in Springfield.[3]

Post-high school, Bone attended the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.[4] He pursued a major in history, with a minor in political science.[5] He graduated with honors, and later went on to pursue a Master's and PhD program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His studies there were momentarily interrupted by his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, but he later returned to finish his degree in 1932.[6] During these years, he traveled the world extensively, seeing parts of Europe, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. He lived in both Egypt and France for nearly a year, and gained his first teaching experience in Alexandria, Egypt (at the American School of Alexandria).[7] There, he taught both law and English, and eventually became director of their acting classes.[8]

After he gained experience in Egypt (ending in 1931), Bone became a history and speech professor at Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. Eventually, he became acting dean of the faculty there.[9] In 1934, he was offered a new position at the University of Illinois, taking over for an Ancient History professor who was going on leave. This position granted him "The Gold Tablet", a prize designated to the most effective professors by University students. He remained at the University of Illinois until his leave for the army. In 1942, he was sent overseas and gained a position in the Headquarters Staff of the U.S. Forces in Europe.[10] He eventually helped to found American University in Shrivenham, England, and became head of its History department throughout the school's existence.[11] Upon return, he continued to work at the University of Illinois until the 1950's, and was dubbed the Director of the Division of General Studies in 1946. He was also one of five staff members designated to help counsel students when services were running low. In 1947, he was again named the Director of the Division of Special Services, but resigned from this position in 1952. He went back to his original position in General Studies during that same year. During this time, he also became the Acting Dean of the College of Education, a stance which he held until 1953. In 1954, he became Assistant Provost of the University, and held on to that position for the remainder of his time.[12]

Bone held many elected offices outside of academia. He also became active in the Student Affairs Committee, as well as the Student Senate. He became chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, and the Senate Committee on Committees, which was elected by the University Senate.[13] Likewise, he was elected to work on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Committee, as well as the Advisory Committee, at the University. Outside of these, he ran study groups for students and ran conferences on education quality.[14]

Outside of campus, Bone was an active member of the American Historical Association and the Illinois State Historical Society. He served on the local Board of Directions for the Archaeological Institute of America. He also was highly active on the Board of several local fraternities, while also serving for the local YMCA.[15]