Soesbe, Robert John 1926-2014

SOESBE, SIEGEL, SAFFER, NICHOLS, MUSCH, DALY

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer
Date: 12/22/2014 at 09:36:10

Robert J. “Bob” Soesbe, 88, of Clinton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton, after a brief illness.

The memorial mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1105 Lametta Wynn Drive, Clinton. The family will greet relatives and friends 9-11 a.m. before the service at the church Friday. A luncheon will be held for family and friends at St. Boniface Church Hall, 2520 Pershing Ave., after the service. Per Bob’s wishes, his body was donated for medical education and research to University of Iowa College of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clinton County Historical Society or to the family for a memorial in Bob’s name. Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and remembrances may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.papefh.com.

Robert John Soesbe was born Jan. 17, 1926, in Manchester, Iowa, the son of Philip C. and Frances Barbara (Siegel) Soesbe. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Clinton in 1944. He attended college at St. Ambrose and was awarded a medal honoring his military service by the university. Bob married Ethel M. Saffer on Aug. 23, 1947, at Our Lady of Angels Academy in Clinton.

Bob served as a sergeant with the 24th Infantry Division in the Philippines and Japan during World War II, and with the 76th Engineering Battalion in Korea during the Korean War. He was on the Honor Flight in 2010. Bob was a member and past Commander and Adjutant of American Legion Post 190. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association and the AMVETS.

Bob was employed as a central office technician at U.S. West Telephone Company, retiring in 1984 after over 33 years of service. He was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Bob served on the Clinton Park Board for 16 years, and on the Clinton City Council for 12 years. He served on the Recreation and Parkland Commission, and the City of Clinton Planning Commission. He was a board member of Seniors vs. Crime, a member of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni, the Citizens Emergency Response Team, the Veterans Memorial Committee and a past member of the Historical Preservation Committee and the Clinton County Selective Service Board. He served on numerous other city boards and commissions.

Bob served for many years on the Clinton County Historical Society Board and was a past president. He was a member of the Camanche Historical Society, and the Morrison Historical Society. He was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a member of Preservation Iowa. Bob was past president and longtime treasurer of the Clinton Labor Congress, a member and past president of CWA Local 7112, member and past vice president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, a member of the Telephone Pioneers and a member of CWA Retirees.

Bob was a Central Committee member of the Clinton County Democrats. Bob was the AARP Clinton County Chapter President. Bob was inducted into the Iowa Federation of Labor Hall of Fame, the Eastern Iowa Labor Hall of Fame and the Clinton County Democrats Hall of Fame. He was named the Chamber of Commerce Community Leader of the Year 2009. Bob received an award for outstanding achievement from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge in 1964 and received the Tom Ryan Community Spirit Award in 2009. He was proud to be a 24-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Bob’s hobbies included reading, gardening, dog walking, attending auctions, collecting cameras, radios and telephone equipment and making wooden toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife, Ethel; his nine children, Patricia A. (David) Nichols, David J. Soesbe, Kathryn A. (Marvin) Musch, Steven P. Soesbe and Mary C. Soesbe, all of Clinton; Philip C. Soesbe, Baton Rouge, La.; Robert J. Soesbe Jr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Thomas M. (Terri) Soesbe, Stuart, Fla.; and James A. (Carmen) Soesbe, Rockford, Ill.; 22 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren; his brothers, John P. (Mary) Soesbe and William A. Soesbe, both of Clinton; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, James A. Soesbe; his sister, Mary Jo (Francis) Daly; and a great-grandson.