He sponsored baseball teams. He raised funds for charitable causes. Nobody who went to the Rootbeer Stand seeking a donation left empty-handed.

Oglesby residents are mourning Henry “Hank” Moore, co-founder of the Rootbeer Stand drive-in, who died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 87.

“Hank Moore was Mr. Oglesby,” said Mayor Dom Rivara. “He was always there to help out. He didn’t care if you were young or old or what the cost was. He was just a super, super guy. We’ve lost an icon.”

Henry Scharswood Moore wasn’t born in Oglesby (he was a native of Hennepin) but had an ironclad relationship with the city beginning in 1960 when he and wife Janet opened the Rootbeer Stand following Hank’s stint in the U.S. Army.

Moore is remembered as a caring employer. Cindy Bacidore remembered a fun-loving environment where Moore would enjoy a laugh with his workers and then gently but firmly say, “OK, let’s get back to work.”

“I was there a long time and enjoyed every minute,” said Bacidore, who logged 35 years at the Rootbeer Stand. “He was truly like a second dad to me. He was just the kindest and most generous man you could ask for.”

Moore is remembered as a community-minded business owner. He would personally deliver burgers and treats to the elderly and infirm. In his spare hours, he was a charter member and past exalted ruler at the Oglesby Elks. There, he worked tirelessly for disabled children, one of the fraternal organization’s top causes.

Ken Ficek, a past exalted ruler at the Oglesby lodge, called Moore “One of a kind, always willing to help with a smile on his face and everybody’s friend.” Moore organized an Elks golf outing that raised money for local charities such as PADS, the Illinois Valley Food Pantry, local schools, the library and others in need.

“People loved being around him and could always count on him to help in any way he could,” Ficek said. “He had a big heart. We will miss him and that smile.”

Moore also was a longtime baseball coach remembered fondly by one his players, former Mayor Don Finley.

“He worked with everybody, whether they were his best player or his worst,” Finley recalled. “He took great pride in teaching.”

Moore had trouble turning down a request for help, even when the business at hand was unpleasant. Don Shields, a funeral director in Oglesby, remembered how his late father Jack would call upon his close friend Hank to assist with ambulance and death calls.

Though Moore had in no way enjoyed mortuary science — “He didn’t like it” — Shields said, it simply wasn’t in Moore’s nature to turn away a friend in need.

Don Shields recalled Moore was among the first to reach out to console him when Jack died. Moore became a father figure to Shields.

“Hank pretty much stepped in and took me under his wing,” Shields said.

Shields Funeral Chapel, Oglesby is in charge of arrangements but, at Moore’s request, there will be no public services or visitation.