Robert Emmet Hurley, 90, of Alton, Illinois, passed away fortified by the sacraments of Holy Mother Church on August 17, 2024, at his home in Alton after an extended illness.

Robert was born on April 5, 1934, to Robert and Agnes (Mattingly) Hurley in Washington, DC. He grew up in Arlington, Virginia with his younger brothers Jack and Michael, with whom he maintained close relationships throughout their lives. Robert attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, and he went on to graduate from Georgetown University. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, he began a long career as a physician. He served in the Public Health Service for two years, which included his service as the medical officer on a Coast Guard icebreaker ship on a mission to Antarctica. He then completed his residency in radiology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis, Missouri.

In February of 1965 Robert met Carol Matson in St. Louis. Robert and Carol married on June 18, 1966, and in their over fifty-eight years of marriage they went on to have six children: Christine, Bridget, Robert, Patrick, Dan, and Tom.

Robert worked as a respected radiologist for over thirty years, practicing in Missouri, Illinois, North Dakota, and Minnesota. In 1989 he moved to Alton, where he practiced at Alton Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 2000.

Robert was a lifelong Catholic and a constant presence each week at Mass. He was an avid reader with a particular interest in history, and he was also an enthusiastic bicyclist. He particularly enjoyed biking the road along the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton. Robert continued to be interested in learning about medicine throughout his life, sometimes attending professional development meetings even in his retirement. He also enjoyed his involvement in the community, including service in local organizations such as Great Rivers Land Trust.

Robert was preceded in death by his son Dan, his brothers Jack and Michael, and his parents Robert and Agnes.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Carol of Alton, his daughter Christine and her husband Steven of Katy, Texas, his daughter Bridget and her husband John of St. Louis, his son Robert of Plano, Texas, his son Patrick of St. Paul, Minnesota, his son Tom of Shelton, Connecticut, his son Dan’s wife Traci of Scottsdale, Arizona, and his grandchildren Clare, Louis, Anna, Rachel, Sam, Sarah, John, and Maria.