MONROE, Robert Gates 1919-2009
MONROE, STEWART
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/18/2010 at 11:50:28
Robert Gates Monroe
Born in Charles City, Iowa on January 23, 1919
Departed on May 8, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Robert Gates Monroe, 90, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Charles City, died Friday, May 8, 2009. A Celebration of Life will be May 13 at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, and at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Charles City. Visitation will be May 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. Private family burial services will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City at a later date.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Alexander Monroe; two sons, James R. Monroe (Louise) of Des Moines and John C. (Cindy) Monroe of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Linda (Roger) Hoel of Coralville; and three stepdaughters, Lisa Alexander, Lauren (Randy) Savell and Lynda (Pierre) Meunier. Survivors also include nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Deborah and Jim Dreusicke (Lauren, Anna) and Sarah and Mike Heenan (Nathan, Noah) of Coralville; Kristin Monroe Pei (Marcus, Miles) of Iowa City; Capt. Andrew and Stephanie Monroe (Nicholas) of Richmond Hill, Ga.; Sgt. Scott and Marie Monroe of Fort Irwin, Calif; four children and three grandchildren of Jim and Louise Monroe.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Monroe; his parents; and a brother, Charles Monroe.
Bob was born Jan. 23, 1919, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Charles (Jack) and Margaret Monroe. He lived in and graduated from high school in Charles City. Bob graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He completed pilot and flight training at various Army flight schools in Texas; on May 20, 1942 he received his wings and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. On May 20, Bob also married Ruth Stewart in Lubbock, Texas. They were stationed in San Antonio and Sabinal, Texas, during World War II, where Bob earned the rank of captain and trained pilots and was a flight instructor. In 1945, Bob and Ruth moved to Charles City, and in 1946, they opened their own business, Monroe Sporting Goods, which they operated for 30 years. Bob also was a Charles City council member, a Floyd County supervisor for 13 years and the mayor of Charles City from 1988-1994. In 1995, Bob and Ruth moved to Cedar Rapids, where they resided at Crystal Estates. Ruth died May 14, 2004. On Nov. 11, 2006, Bob married Karen Alexander in Cedar Rapids.
Bob was very active in community and church activities. He helped organize Little League Baseball, was a YMCA board member, an active member of the First Congregational Church (choir for over 30 years) and First Presbyterian Church, a volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, a coach, referee and umpire, and was a member of the Elks, Rotary and American Legion. Bob had his sports radio program, “Sitting In With Bob Monroe” on KCHA, for 30 years. He also was named the Charles City Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year.” Bob was a strong advocate for Charles City; his most notable interest were securing historic preservation and registry status for various Charles City landmarks, especially the Suspension Bridge; the naming of Charles City as “America’s Hometown;” and his work on developing the “Avenue of the Saints” for Charles City and the sate. Bob’s interests and talents included sports, music (especially Big Band), dancing, singing, golf, fishing, hunting, bicycling (riding in RAGBRAI II), traveling extensively Western novels and movies, the Cedar River, bridge, cribbage, and people.
Bob’s greatest commitment was his family; he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was always ready for family activities and eager to learn and try new experiences. The grandchildren were fortunate to spend special summer vacations with Grandpa, enjoying canoeing on the Cedar, bicycling, swimming, ice-skating and numerous adventures. Bob was a gift and a blessing to his family and friends. His greatest legacy to his family was his life of integrity as a role model and teacher of character and life’s lessons.
Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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