A life-long Batavian with a “long and distinguished” career as a community volunteer and community leader was named the 2024 Batavia Citizen of the Year (COTY) December 18. The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will honor Robert “Bob” Hubbard Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Chamber’s Inspire 2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! annual awards event.
Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, commented that once again, the committee chose a worthy winner.
“Bob Hubbard’s lifelong commitment to Batavia reflects the very best of community leadership and service,” stated Margaret. “A long-time 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 continued. “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.”
Robert “Bob” Hubbard is a generational Batavian, having grown up in Batavia and raised his family here. He 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, was closed in 2011 when Bob retired.
In his nomination packet, George Scheetz wrote a seven-page compilation of roles and organizations that Bob Hubbard has been involved with through the years. Mr. Scheetz is the past executive director of the Batavia Public Library and historian for the Batavia Historical Society. He wrote that “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.”
This lengthy list includes the 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, along with at least 10 other organizations. Bob has served on the board of directors for many of these, including several times as chairman.
— Batavia Chamber of Commerce