Batavia chamber names Hubbard 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 lifelong Batavia resident with a long career as a volunteer and community leader. The former businessman is being 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 longtime 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 said. “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. “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, among others. Hubbard has served on the board for many of these organizations, several times as chairman.
“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,” wrote George Scheetz, former Batavia Public Library executive director and historian for the Batavia Historical Society, in a seven-page letter as part of Hubbard’s nomination packet.
“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, kindhearted person,” Scheetz wrote.
As the Community Champion for Batavia High School’s INCubator Entrepreneurship Program, Hubbard serves as a mentor, coach, and business resource.
“Without Bob’s efforts, it would be impossible to provide students with the real-world business perspectives that define our program,” INCubator program instructor Dennis Piron Jr. wrote in a letter supporting Hubbard as Citizen of the Year.
Piron said Hubbard helped raise more than $80,000 and obtain nearly $100,000 in grants and donations since the inception of the INCubator program, which has benefited more than 500 students through the years.
Hubbard also assisted several children through his 11 years of service with the Kane County Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem, or CASA/GAL program, which assigns specially trained volunteers to become the voice of a child in abuse, neglect and private guardianship cases.
“It’s a lot different (from) 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.”
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will recognize honorees at its annual awards ceremony “2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us!” April 24 at Revelry 675, 675 South River St. To purchase tickets, visit the bataviachamber.org/events or call (630) 879-7134.