Robert “Bob” Gilliam

Beloit’s first African American firefighter and chief of the Beloit Fire Department

“The way to get things done was not standing on the outside throwing rocks, but be inside where the decisions are being made. Be a part of the decision.” 

That was Bob’s philosophy when there was a need for change. He came to South Beloit as a 16-year-old with a mind of wanting to see progress for African Americans. After graduating from South Beloit High in 1949 and a stint in the Korean War, Bob settled in Beloit setting out to blaze a trail for so many African Americans. 

In 1961 Bob was named the first African American firefighter to the Beloit Fire Department. In addition to serving on the fire department, he ran for Rock County Supervisor and won the election. Bob became the city’s first African American elected to public office, unseating an 18-year veteran. In 1970, he began serving three two-year terms as county supervisor. 

Bob was a founding member of Black Resource Personnel, a group formed in the late 1960 to work on issues that pertained to the African American community. Wanting to see forward movement for African Americans in Beloit he stayed involved by serving terms on the Governor’s Commission on Human Rights and the Governor’s Commission on Criminal Justice. His influence was felt all over the city and respected by all.

Bob, after twenty-four years as a firefighter, became chief of the Beloit Fire Department at the age of fifty-five. He retired from the department after three years as chief. During his years on the fire department Bob was very instrumental in recruiting African Americans to becoming fire fighters not only in Beloit but also in Rockford, Madison and Milwaukee.

When asked about his firefighting career, Bob replied, “If I was young enough, I’d go right back and start all over again. I loved it that much.”