The Batavia Chamber of Commerce has named lifelong Batavia resident Robert “Bob” Hubbard its 2024 Citizen of the Year for his “long and distinguished” career as a volunteer and prominent business owner.
Community volunteerism is a way to “meet more people” and “help more people,” Hubbard said in a Chamber of Commerce statement about the award.
“Like most people who volunteer a lot, I get much more out of what I do than what I put into it,” he said.
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce every year recognizes those who make extraordinary contributions in Batavia. Hubbard will formally be recognized as the Citizen of the Year on April 24 at the Chamber of Commerce’s “Inspire 2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us” awards night at Revelry, 675 S. River St. in Batavia.
Hubbard’s commitment to Batavia reflects “the very best of community leadership and service,” Batavia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Margaret Perreault said in the statement.
Perreault has worked alongside Hubbard as a member of the Rotary Club of Batavia. Hubbard exemplifies Rotary’s mission, she said.
Hubbard grew up in Batavia and raised his family in the city, the statement said.
Hubbard was the third-generation owner of one of Batavia’s oldest businesses – Hubbard and Johnson Furniture Store – which originally opened in 1910. The store on Batavia Avenue became Hubbard’s Ethan Allen Gallery. The store closed in 2011 when Hubbard retired.
“Bob has dedicated his retirement to making Batavia an even better place for all,” Perreault said, noting that his family’s business “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.”
“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,” she said.
Hubbard’s volunteerism includes the Batavia High School 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.
He is a role model for future entrepreneurs as the “Community Champion” for the Batavia High School’s INCubator Entrepreneurship Program, according to Chamber of Commerce officials.
Hubbard’s volunteerism as a mentor, coach and business resource in the program is invaluable, program instructor Dennis Piron said in the Chamber of Commerce statement.
“It would be impossible to provide students with the real-world business perspectives that define our program” without his efforts, Piron said.
Hubbard has been an integral part of managing the funding of the program as well, Piron said.
Hubbard has assisted multiple children through his 11 years of service for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in Kane County, according to the statement.
“It’s a lot different than being on a board of directors,” Hubbard said. “You are one of the worker bees, building a relationship, helping and making a difference.”
Hubbard is married to Kathy Hubbard, a retired Batavia H.C. Storm Elementary School educator. They have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
