Hubbard named 2024 Citizen of the Year

Batavia resident Robert “Bob” Hubbard has been named the 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year and will be honored at the annual award ceremony in April.

Hubbard is a life-long Batavia resident with a long career as a volunteer and community leader. The former businessman is honored for his service to the community, as a mentor to young people and for actively giving back to foster success in young entrepreneurs.

Hubbard was the third-generation owner of one of Batavia’s oldest businesses, which began in 1910 as Hubbard and Johnson Furniture Store. The store, most recently known as Hubbard’s Ethan Allen Gallery, closed in 2011 when he retired.

Hubbard and his wife Kathy, a retired educator at Batavia’s H.C. Storm Elementary School, raised their three daughters, Sara Hattrem, Elizabeth Hardey, and Emily Matile, in Batavia. They have six grandchildren.

Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, said the committee chose a worthy winner once again.

“Bob Hubbard’s lifelong commitment to Batavia reflects the very best of community leadership and service,” Margaret said in a news release. “A long-time member of the Batavia Rotary Club, where I have the privilege of serving alongside him, Bob exemplifies Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self.’

“A former local business owner, Bob has dedicated his retirement to making Batavia an even better place for all. His family’s business, Hubbard’s Furniture Store, was a proud member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce for nearly 70 years, a legacy that speaks to his deep roots in our community,” Margaret continued. “Bob’s humility, generosity, and tireless efforts to give back embody the values we hold dear, and we are honored to recognize him as our 2024 Citizen of the Year.”

Previous Batavia Citizens of the Year Dave and Marge Brown issued a statement summarizing why Bob Hubbard was chosen as the 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year.

“We feel he exemplifies everything that the COTY award represents,” Dave and Marge Brown said in the statement. “Through Bob’s unwavering commitment to our community, tireless volunteerism, and outstanding leadership, Bob embodies the values of compassion, service and integrity. In everything he does, he exhibits the true spirit of community and remains deeply invested in creating positive changes for Batavia.”

Hubbard’s community involvement includes organizations like Batavia High School’s INCubator Entrepreneurship Program, CASA Kane County, Living Well Cancer Resource Center, TriCity Family Services, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, Batavia Community Chest/United Way, and Rotary Club of Batavia, and many more. Hubbard has served on the board of directors for many of these organizations, several times as chairman.

In Hubbard’s nomination packet, former executive director of the Batavia Public Library and historian for the Batavia Historical Society George Scheetz wrote a seven-page compilation of roles and organizations that Bob Hubbard has been involved with through the years.

“The work of this one citizen has touched the lives of untold numbers of citizens of Batavia and beyond in many different and positive ways. Bob is a humble person not usually found in the spotlight; that is, he is a ‘quiet volunteer’ and reticent about his own accomplishments. He is a genuine, caring, kind-hearted person,“ Scheetz wrote. ”In short, Bob is willing to help anyone in any capacity whatsoever, and he proves it by his actions, time and again.”

INCubator Entrepreneurship Program

As the Community Champion for the Batavia High School’s INCubator Entrepreneurship Program, Hubbard serves as a mentor, coach, and business resource. INCubator program instructor Dennis Piron Jr. wrote a letter expressing his wholehearted support for Hubbard as Citizen of the Year.

“Without Bob’s efforts, it would be impossible to provide students with the real-world business perspectives that define our program,” Piron said in the letter. “His leadership has helped us raise over $80,000 and obtain nearly $100,000 in grants and donations since inception.”

Piron said Hubbard has been an integral part of managing the funding of the INCubator program, which has benefited more than 500 students through the years.

CASA Kane County

The Kane County Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem, or CASA/GAL program assigns specially trained volunteers to become the crucial voice of a child in abuse, neglect and private guardianship cases. Hubbard assisted several children through his 11 years of service as a CASA.

“It’s a lot different than being on a board of directors. You’re one of the worker bees, building a relationship, helping and making a difference,” Hubbard said. “[volunteering] is a great way to just learn more about what’s going on in your community, to meet more people, and help more people. Like most people who volunteer a lot, I get much more out of what I do than what I put into it.”

Retired Batavia educator Bill Kettering commented on Hubbard’s devotion to the CASA/GAL program in a nomination letter.

“The work is rewarding no doubt, but it also requires dealing with children in some horrific situations and requiring gut-wrenching decisions,” Kettering said in the letter. “Bob’s level of empathy is extraordinary, and his work with scores of children has made a huge positive difference for our community. For this alone, I feel Bob is worthy of this award and recognition. He is humble, not looking for personal recognition. He just wants to give back, and simply does so.”

The City of Batavia’s awards season is fast approaching, and the Chamber of Commerce announced the selected recipients of their highest honors in a news release.

The Chamber of Commerce will present each honoree with their awards at the annual awards ceremony “2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!” on April 24 at Revelry 675, located at 675 South River St.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to Inspire 2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!, visit the Chamber of Commerce website at bataviachamber.org/events or call 630-879-7134.