Robert “Bob” Henderson
Robert “Bob” Henderson
Coggon
Robert “Bob” Henderson, 102, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on March 27, 2024, in his home. A Visitation will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Historical Hall, Main Street, Coggon. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon. Burial will be later, with the immediate family. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family with services.
Bob was born April 14, 1921, in the family farmhouse near Coggon, the son of Arthur and Mabel Drexler Henderson. At an early age, his father noticed his son’s natural love of horses and put him on a work horse at the age of five to round up the cows for milking. His love of horses continued throughout his life resulting in hundreds of trail rides in the U.S. and Canada.
Growing up on a farm, Bob learned good work ethics at an early age. In addition to his farm chores, he began working at his Uncle Ralph Drexler’s grocery store at the age of 14. Bob graduated from Coggon High School in 1938, attended Cedar Rapids Business College, and on May 14, 1944, married Darlene Dunn at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon.
Bob served in the Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas, from 1945 – 1946. After service, he worked in local banks and was a member of the Linn County State Bank Board of Directors for 25 years. Along with farming, he was Secretary/Treasurer for the Coggon School District, and later Business Manager for the North Linn Community School District. Bob was instrumental in the reorganization of the Coggon, Troy Mills, and Walker schools, and served as Treasurer for the Iowa Association of School Business Officials.
Bob believed it was important to give back to the community and during his lifetime gave over 200 years of service. He helped establish the Coggon Historical Society, and Coggon Community Memorial Foundation. He was a member of the Zion Presbyterian Church, Mecca Order of Eastern Star, a 75-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and the longest-serving Masonic District Lecturer in the State of Iowa.
During his business career, Bob farmed the 80-acre family farm and was proud it received the Iowa Heritage Award for being in the family name 150 years. Bob celebrated 76 years of marriage with his wife, Darlene, and together they enjoyed travelling to all 50 states, Mexico, the Caribbean, Switzerland, and Germany.
Bob was a man of integrity, common sense, and respect for others. He was seldom idle and always working on a project. He will be remembered for his keen memory, volunteer work, dedication to his family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all who shared his life.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Mary Henderson of Coggon and Beth Horak of Andover, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Roger (Heidi) Horak, Daryl (Laurie) Horak, and Julie (Paul) Tarp; and two great-granddaughters, Becky (Max) Kietzman and Katie Horak. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; brother, James Henderson; sister, Margaret Hill; infant brother, Ralph Arthur; his parents; and son-in-law, Ken Horak.
Donations may be given to the Coggon Community Memorial Foundation.
View Bob’s tribute page at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.