Robert W. McCarthy, 90, of Decatur, IL passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2015 in his residence.

Robert was born in Lincoln, IL on May 28, 1924 to James and Anna McCarthy. Robert served proudly in the U.S. Army. Following his service in WWII, Mr. McCarthy graduated from Lincoln College and the University of Illinois, College of Law 1947, where he was affiliated with Phi Delta Theta Social Fraternity.

He commenced his practice of law in Lincoln, IL the same year and moved his practice to Decatur in 1965. He was the senior named partner prior to his retirement in 2008 in the Decatur Law Firm of McCarthy, Rowden and Baker, and he was an acknowledged authority on worker’s compensation law.

As a state legislator in 1957 he overrode Governor Stratton’s veto of the public administration bill. This was the first override in 22 years. He was active in labor legislation and the chief sponsor of the revised worker’s compensation law of 1975. In 1959 he was the organizer of a campaign event in Decatur for John F. Kennedy, then a United States senator in Massachusetts and later President of the United States. McCarthy was active in Democratic politics and served in the Illinois General Assembly as a representative from 1954-1960 and senator from 1961-1977.

He was a member of the Decatur Athletic Club, Decatur Symphony Guild, Club at Pelican Bay at Naples, FL, Decatur Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association and Ss. James and Patrick Catholic Church in Decatur, IL. Robert married Mary Fielding on September 6, 1952 in St. Joseph’s Church, Springfield, IL.

Mr. McCarthy is survived by his wife of 62 years Mary McCarthy of Decatur, IL; two children: Diane Norberg and her husband Kevin of Naples, FL and Douglas McCarthy and his wife retired judge Kitty McCarthy of Decatur, IL; sisters: Frances McCormick of Lincoln, IL and Mary Migielicz of Urbana, IL; two grandchildren: Keri McCarthy Ferry and her husband Ian of San Francisco, CA and Katie McCarthy of Chicago, IL; great grandson: Aiden Douglas Ferry of San Francisco, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Rev. James McCarthy O.S.B..

Services have been held. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Teresa High School or St. Patrick Grade School. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.