MONTICELLO, IL—Robert G “Bob” Degen of Monticello, Ill., formerly of Weems, passed away at his home on June 1, 2026, after battling cancer and heart failure.
Bob was born September 8, 1946, in Troy, N.Y., but spent most of his formative years in New Jersey and Connecticut. Upon college graduation in 1968, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Captain Degen was a decorated combat veteran of Vietnam, 1970-71. Following his military service, Bob had a distinguished 21-year career as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, where he served on the Nixon, Reagan and Bush #41 protective details; The Washington, D.C., Albany, N.Y., Cleveland, Ohio and Miami, Fla., field offices; the Dignitary Protective Division; and the Financial Crimes Division in Florida and at Headquarters in Washington, D.C. After his retirement from the USSS, he worked 18 years as senior vice president for Western Union/First Data Corporation.
Bob was most proud of his military service, his Secret Service career, his seven U.S. Patents for fraud detection/mitigation and that he played a part in thwarting ongoing terrorist threats on the U.S.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Jude; his son, Michael and daughter, Michele, his two grandsons, Dylan and Matthew, all of Florida; his brother, Michael, and his three nieces, Molly, Liz and Stacey, all of Minnesota, along with his brother-in-law Ron Wallace, Jude’s nieces, Tracy, Kristine, Andrea and Rachel, all of Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Norma Degen.
Bob was cremated and his ashes will be inured at Arlington National Cemetery. At his request, no funeral service will be held, but he requests you toast him one last time with a nice glass of wine.
Donations may be made to any animal welfare organization, Special Operations Warrior Foundation or Tunnels to Towers.
