Robert F. “Bob” Steuber

Robert F. “Bob” Steuber

Cedar Rapids

Robert F. “Bob” Steuber, was born May 31, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Fred H. and Anna M. (Krahling) Steuber. Of German descent, Bob, at age 5, could only speak German, and since he did not speak English, the public school sent him home. His parents then enrolled him at Trinity Lutheran School. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church.

As the nation recovered from the Great Depression, Bob caddied for many professionals and business leaders at the Cedar Rapids Country Club for several years. His parents taught him to work hard, be truthful, honest, and a Christian.

Bob was a bugle player in the championship Cedar Rapids Musketeer Drum & Bugle Corps, which won the national Chicagoland Music Festival contest in 1934, and performed at Boston Garden arena in 1939, where they placed third at the national VFW convention. The corps also won that year at the New York World’s Fair for “best appearance” and for traveling the longest distance.

He attended Roosevelt High School, participating in football and basketball, and graduated in 1942. He then attended the University of Iowa Engineering College for two years but did not graduate.

Bob loved the outdoors, and as an avid fisherman, pioneered and had part interest in a cabin on Hanson Lake, Ontario, Canada, where he and a special group of friends fished. He also played legion baseball and fast-pitch softball for Iowa Manufacturing Co. and Trinity Lutheran Church. He was an accomplished bowler and participated in local, state and national tournaments. After retiring from playing ball, he enjoyed playing golf with his retired buddies from IMCO.

In 1963, Bob met the dream of his life, Ruth. The were married June 27, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church by Pastor Koberg. From Ruth’s previous marriage, they had four children: Susan, Bobbie, Sylvia and Sandra. Bob and Ruth both worked at Iowa Manufacturing, where Bob was employed in engineering in the asphalt department for 36 years. He later worked at Raytheon and was involved in their Resource Recovery Program, where he was jointly awarded with Raytheon engineer Malcolm Patterson, a patent on a rotary air classifier drum with antifouling means of flail breakers.

Bob and Ruth were co-owners of Ruth’s Shoes in downtown Cedar Rapids, where Ruth was known as the “shoe lady”, and Bob did the bookwork. They traveled extensively, cruising the Caribbean, Western Europe, Scandinavia, Mexico, Panama Canal, Alaska and South America. They also took many trips to Las Vegas and California. On Sundays after church, they liked to find a place for brunch and hit an area casino. This was their day to enjoy and roam at will.

Bob was a local Jaycees member and was past co-chairman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Golden Gloves Tournament and was involved with the Elks Basketball Hoop-Shoot Program.

He enjoyed the Big Band era and musical shows. Bob was a loyal Hawkeye fan and I-Club member, attending home and away games for 50-some years, including two Rose Bowls. He liked to brag that he had seen the Hawkeye “Iron Men of ’30,” including Nile Kinnick, Bill Diehl and Al Couppee.

Bob was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He served as president of the Youth Walther League, as an usher, and on Trinity’s School Board of Education. Bob and his wife served as Sunday contribution counters and volunteered on the school bus programs. He also was involved with past building programs.

Surviving many bumps in the road, he lost his beloved wife on Thanksgiving Day 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Katherine; brother, Donald; stepchildren, Bobby Lathrop, Sylvia Parry; step-son-in-law, Larry Wagamon; and his beloved pet poodle, Bobbie Jay. He is survived by his stepchildren, Susan Wagamon and Sandra (Gary) Feaker, all of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren-in-law, Colleen Lathrup, Roger Parry; sister-in-law, Eileen Steuber; nephew, Robert Steuber; niece, Renee (Al) Hudson; seven grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until time of funeral service, 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 14 at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Entombment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Bob was known as a perfectionist and in all things liked to say, “I did it my way”.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.