Dr. Robert Cahalan 1937-2008

GAVIN, CAHALAN, GULBRANSON, DOYLE, HOLLENSBE

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 6/25/2008 at 21:00:24

Dr. Robert Cahalan

Dr. Robert E. Cahalan, "The Diggin' Doc of Dallas County", passed from this life into his new one Monday, May 26, 2008. He was a resident of Mercy Hospice in Johnston at that time.

Funeral services were held at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee Friday, May 30. He will be buried next to his grandfather, Eugene Cahalan, at St. Pius at Cherry Mound Cemetery in rural Waterville. Bob was a dentist in Des Moines for 37 years before retiring in 1998. He was born November 18, 1937 in Harpers Ferry to Emmett and Evelyn (Gavin) Cahalan and was the second of six children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dr. Arthur B. Cahalan. He is survived by his daughter, Amy (Tom) Gulbranson; his grandchildren, Scott and Grace Gulbranson; siblings Charlie (Kay) Cahalan of State Center, Debbie (Rick) Doyle of Des Moines, Denny (Joanie) Cahalan of Omaha, NE, Elaine Hollensbe of Cincinnati, OH; and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Cahalan of Des Moines. Bob also leaves behind 10 nieces and nephews.

Bob attended the University of Iowa and received his DDS and was a true Hawkeye fan! He was a 31-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous and was involved with Concerned Iowa Dentists. He collaborated on the creation of Delta Dental Insurance. A "collector" of pretty much everything and anything, Bob built quite an implement store of his own with his many tractors, cars, dirt moving equipment and lawnmowers which he tinkered with for many years.

Bob was a true "Irishman" and had a real talent for writing limericks for his family and friends. He often quoted his grandfather, Eugene Cahalan, in many of them using his good Irish brogue. When he wasn't practicing dentistry or writing limericks, you could find him digging and moving dirt for his friends and neighbors. Bob was a farmer at heart and loved animals, hence his nine or so dogs, three cats, his triplet fawns and the many other deer that lived on his land. When Bob would come home the dogs, cats and deer would come running to greet him.

He also enjoyed growing many "giant" pumpkins from his pumpkin patch and always made sure his grandkids got the pick of the biggest one. Those who knew and loved Bob knew he had the gift of gab and when he came to visit, people knew to put a pot of coffee on as they were going to hear a story of his childhood growing up in northeast Iowa, his daughter and grandchildren, the Urbandale City Council or maybe a great joke.

The Waukon Standard, Wednesday, June 4, 2008
SUBMITTER IS NOT RELATED AND HAS NO FURTHER INFORMATION.

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen