LARSON, Robert Jerome 1916-2011
LARSON, NEMMERS, GIRSCH, KUDERLI, PETERSEN, MEYEROWITZ, WHETTLER, RECHFERTIG, HOFFA, FRANCIS, WIZNAT
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/16/2011 at 01:50:57
[Waterloo Courier, Thursday, January 20, 2011]
Robert Jerome "Bob" Larson, 94, of Brighton, Colo., formerly of Waterloo, died following a respiratory infection on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. He was a 1934 graduate of St. Mary's High School, Waterloo.
He was born June 29, 1916, on a farm in Earlville, son of Edwin and Clara Nemmers Larson. He married Evelyn Rose Girsch on Aug. 10, 1940, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waterloo. Evelyn "Ev" died on Dec. 13, 1971, at the age of 57. He married Geny Kuderli on Sept. 24, 1974, in Miami. Geny died on July 23, 1996.
On June 13, 1935, Bob's brother Harold, born in 1918, drowned with another classmate after their canoe capsized during a school picnic. Search and rescue had to be called in. Following this tragic accident, Bob decided to dedicate his life to helping other families in rescue.
Lt. Larson served as a Waterloo fireman, retiring after 31 years in 1971. His retirement plan was to devote more time caring for his wife Evelyn, who was afflicted with multiple sclerosis. She died suddenly, four days before his last work day.
Bob worked as a tillerman on the old aerial truck. "It was quite a thrill seeing the telephone poles fly by as you tried to keep from sliding into them," he remembered. After seven years of that, he became driver of the department's utility truck until 1950, when he was appointed department fire inspector. A month after that, he was promoted to lieutenant. In 1954 the duties of inspector were split between the two then-chiefs, Harold Smith and Lloyd McKinney, and Bob was assigned to headquarters station and won his request to head the department inhalator unit. When the second inhalator unit was established at the No. 2 station, Bob initiated and trained there. Bob also was active in the Fireman's Credit Union, serving as president from 1952-59. While he was fire inspector, he served as secretary of the Hawkeye State Fire and Safety Association in 1951, and as trustee of that organization in 1954. He was a longtime member of St. Edward's Church and Columbus High School. He became a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus in Waterloo.
Robert worked several other jobs during his years with the fire department and the years following his retirement, including contracting with several downtown businesses in building, maintaining and renovating their structures. Robert built three homes in Waterloo in which he lived. He sold insurance for Mutual Trust Life, he was a licensed Realtor in the state of Florida and was manager and on board of directors for Kendall Acre Condominiums and Association in Miami.
Bob loved "all" sports for "all" of his 94 ½ years. He excelled in many and enjoyed playing golf in Iowa and in Florida, until macular degeneration made it impossible to "putt" anymore. Bob loved the outdoors, especially sunshine, golf and fishing! He relaxed at the family summer home in Lake Delhi and enjoyed boating with family and friends. He was an avid reader and kept up on all current events. He was devoted to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis that afflicted his wife Evelyn for most of her life. Bob traveled to Europe, Scandinavia and South America while married to Geny. Bob "dearly loved" animals and the hours he spent with his many family dogs. He will be missed by all those who met him. He was rarely seen without his pipe. Bob had a way of making everyone he met feel special! He will be remembered for his sense of humor, zest for life, patience, caring, his many treasured friends and family.
Most importantly, he will be remembered for his devotion to his two loves, Evelyn and Geny, and raising his four daughters in a loving, Christian home. Bob lived a healthy life with no pain or memory loss, right up until his death.
Survivors include his four daughters, Janice (Richard) Petersen of Reno, Nev., Maryanne of Brighton, Clare of Waterloo and Roberta of Miami; three grandchildren, Todd (Teri) Peter of Johnsburg, Ill., and Kristin (Bill) Peter-Olive and Garth (Angie) Peter, both of Waterloo; six great-grandchildren, Alexis, Dawson, Derek, Destin, Maggie and Marissa; and two stepchildren, Blanca Meyerowitz of New Jersey and Dr. Octavio Whettler of Brazil, South America.
Bob is the oldest and last survivor of nine children. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Ev and Geny; eight siblings, Mildred L. (Bob) Rechfertig, Harold Joseph, Edwin Jr. (Jean), Dolores M. (Bob) Brown, Raymond, Lucille K. (Gordan) Hoffa and twins Eugene and Donald Francis (Alberta); and stepdaughter, Kitty Wiznat of Florida.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at St. Edward's Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo. Friends may call at Locke Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m. There also will be viewing one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the family and will be directed at a later time.
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