Birth date: Oct 23, 1923 Death date: Nov 22, 2017
Decatur – Robert Eugene “Bob” Elam, 94, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at McKinley Court Nursing Home, Decatur, IL. Bob was born October 23, 1923, in Decatur, IL, a son of Hubert James and Elnora Pauline (Hu Read Obituary
Thanks for the memories!
Growing up in the 50â??s and 60â??s on West North Street, only about a half block from Elams Root Beer Stand, it was our summer home away from home. After a long winter and all the Christmas Trees were gone, one of the first signs of spring was when the signs were taken out of the windows. You know the signs, â??Gone for the year out of beerâ?, â??Gone to the track but Iâ??ll be backâ? and â??Gone for the season reason freezinâ?, the only ones I remember but there were others. This would happen about Mid-March and with a little cleaning and paint touch up, the first of April they were open for business once again. I can see Bob with his white shirt and black pants topped off with one of those black and white paper hats standing behind the counter barking orders to many employees all doing their job. Occasionally, Mrs. Elam would come out of the kitchen where the 3bâ??s and Pork Tenderloins were being prepared over a very hot flat grill. Oh, to have a 3B basket and a large root beer nowâ?¦ She always reminded me of Dale Evans, she must have had the same hair dresser. Always thought the root beer glass washing and cooling process was cool. A dip or two in the soap water, a good rinse and back into the cold water for a quick cool down before the next mug was ordered. Not sure if that would pass today. I guess the first time I would have gone there was with my older brothers crossing hand in hand busy Eldorado Street fetching the six hamburgers for a dollar deal with two quarts of root beer, the ones in the cone looking containers. Just enough, one hamburger each with a root beer chaser. Getting old enough to venture out into the neighborhood meeting the other boys of North Street, and that is what we called our bad selves, The Boys of North Street, we would end up at the root beer stand at least once a day, most times more. We found out early on that Bob Elam didnâ??t and wouldnâ??t put up with and horse play at the counter. Having been ousted a few times in our day, only to go back the next day all was forgotten. We didnâ??t have much money in those days, paper route, mowing yards and pop bottle deposit money but just enough for Elamâ??s. As my oldest friend Fluss said when I sent him Mr. Elamâ??s obituary, He lived a long life. Good Catholic family man. I still remember when he doubled the price of his small root beer from a nickel to a dime one year. He blamed it on the Cuba sugar embargo. A bowl of chili was 35 cents, root beer was a dime, and a Reese's peanut butter cup was a nickel. Fifty cents ("and a penny for the governor") got you out the door.
Deb and ray. That was supposed to be â??SUCHâ? good workers. Sorry, connie
Thank you Judy and Paul for your kindness. Connie
Thanks. You could always be counted on. Love you. Connie
Debbie and ray. We always wondered where and how you two were doing. You were both such good workers and great to have around. Love you. Connie
Thanks Pam. I remember the delicious quiche you made for your mom and me. Love you. Connie
Thanks, Bill!
Jim, thank you so much. Bob loved every min of it. Connie
Thank you Debbie and Ray! We had some fun times!
