Davis, Robert A. (1939-2013)

DAVIS, CUNNINGHAM, SOMA, HUMMEL, RATHERT, HELLAND

Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/25/2013 at 13:42:02

Robert A. Davis
March 15, 1939 - March 08, 2013

Robert Allen Davis, 73, passed away peacefully on March 8th, 2013, with his family by his side at the IOOF Nursing Home in Mason City, Iowa. He had fought a courageous thirteen week battle after being diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor in December.

Robert was born on March 15th, 1939, to Russell and Vivian (Cunningham) Davis. While Robert was growing up, the Davis Family, including his brother, Jim, and his sister, Nancy, lived in Cresco and Perry, Iowa. After graduating from Perry High School in 1957, he attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where he participated in track and football and majored in vocal music and trumpet. In 1967, he completed a Master’s Degree in Vocal Music from Drake University.

Robert married Eloise (Soma) on June 9th, 1963, in Belmond, Iowa. This June, he and Eloise would have celebrated fifty years of marriage.

Before he became the Director of Choral Activities at North Iowa Area Community College in 1974, Robert was the vocal music instructor at both the Belmond and Boone high schools. During his tenure at NIACC, he was instrumental in changing the lives of countless students as a teacher, mentor, role model, father figure, and friend. He was responsible for creating the NIACC Singers, the North Iowa Choral Society, and Quodlibet. He also managed the NIACC Auditorium for many years before retiring from NIACC in 2001.

During his time at NIACC, Robert also served as the President of the North Central Choral Directors. He was instrumental in starting the Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) and the ICDA Summer Symposium held in Mason City every summer. Moreover, he held many positions in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and was a former member of the North Iowa Concert Band. He organized the Pride of Iowa Choral which traveled and performed throughout Europe in the 1980s. From 2007 to 2012, he served on the NIACC Board of Directors as well as on the Board of Directors of Stebens Children’s Theater. In 1988, he received the Robert McGowan Award for educational excellence and in 1995, the Iowa Outstanding Music Educator’s Award. For many years, he judged music contest for the Iowa All State. An active member of Trinity Lutheran Church from 1974-2012, he often volunteered as an usher, reader, musician, and board member.

Robert enjoyed anything NIACC related. He attended numerous NIACC events, but especially enjoyed supporting the athletic program. He was once referred to as the “unofficial assistant men’s basketball coach.” Most recently, he would spend time on the track, often visiting with the NIACC coaching staff. He enjoyed volunteering as the ticket master for the sporting events. An avid runner, he was always proud of his daily four miles. Most of all, however, he greatly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his beloved grandchildren. He appreciated good food, a good Toyota, any dog, lounging in the sun and a dandelion free yard.

Robert is survived by Eloise, his wife of forty-nine years; his son, Paul Davis, of Mason City; his daughters, Kristin (Brian) Hummel and Andrea (John) Crites, all of Fort Myers, Florida; his brother, Jim (Madonna) Davis, of Minneapolis; his sister, Nancy (Will) Rathert, of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren, Sydney and Jordan Hummel, Alexia and Kayla Davis, and Gabe Helland; and his step-grandchildren as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Vivian Davis.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Robert A. Davis memorial fund in care of the family.
Visitation: A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 22, 2013, at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City.
Service: Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 North Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, with Pastor Kathy Graves officiating.
Cemetery: Inurnment will be held at a later date.

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