Leaving Home

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vault Leaving Home

Robinson Baird Ochsenschlager, Robin for short, lived on one of the last family farms in Aurora, IL until his mother died. At that point, the family was forced to sell the farm in order to pay the hefty inheritance taxes on the land.

The farm, which was used to grow soybeans and corn, had been in his family for over 60 years. Kirk Corporation bought the land and used it to build a 257-home subdivision.

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L e f t : The last harvest before the land is developed.

B e l o w : Robin crushes up some old cans in his garage while cleaning out his farm before his move.

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F u r n i t u r e f r o m R o b i n ’ s h o m e is lined up to sell at an auction. The last few months before the sale was finalized were the most difficult for him. People stopped by constantly wanting to take the windows and doors off the house before he had even moved out.

A b o v e : Robin burns trash along with some old family photos in his yard.

R i g h t : A pendant of his mother’s that Robin decided to hold on to. A photo of Robin (bottom) and his three siblings are still intact inside the locket.

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R o b i n ta k e s a p i c t u r e of his family’s farmhouse being torn down. He plans to stay with friends for a while before moving downstate in search of solace.

“Everybody’s looking for a better life,” he said. “I’m looking for a quieter life.”

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3348 n pulaski chicago, il 60641 www.callielipkin.com

vault is presented by Callie Lipkin Photography.