Kneedy, Robert Hughes

JOHNSON, MORRIS, HUGHES, NICHOLS

Posted By: Kara Cayem (email)
Date: 9/9/2023 at 22:19:34

Robert Hughes Kneedy was born in Webster City, Hamilton Co., Iowa 14 Jan 1922. His parents were Ernest Elias Kneedy (1869-1954) and Grace Mabel Johnson (10 Jan 1879-16 Dec 1968)

Robert had a brother Herbert William Kneedy (1907-1957). Herbert died in San Francisco and is buried at Colma, CA. Robert also had a sister Grace Isabel Kneedy (1919-1920) She died of Pneumonia at age 10 months.

Robert was baptized in the Boone River. He sold newspapers to make money during the Great Depression in Webster City and was very active in the scout troop and became as assistant Scout master. He always talked about going to Doliver Park in the summer. Robert played violin and the group was eligible for nationals in Minneapolis one year. He worked at the Chicken Hatchery in town and was given the opportunity to attend Jr College.

Robert graduated from Webster City High School in 1941 and later was inducted into the army and fought in the European Theatre of WW II. He was inducted with his friend David Leroy Darnell from Webster City who sadly died in the war. Robert brought back pictures of his grave for his mother at the end of the war. Robert was in the Corp of Engineers, 527th Light Pontoon Company and his unit fought with George Patton three times. He also fought in the war alongside and in the foxholes with his longtime friend Esley Greiner also from Webster City who was his best man when he got married. They have a brick next to each other at the Patton Museum that commemorates this bond.

After the war he attended Iowa State Teachers College and met Charleene Mae Monkelien (1928-2005) daughter of Clarence Monkelien and Minnie Rath from Pocahontas. They were married 29 May 1949 at Grant Township, Pocahontas, Iowa. He taught in Alta, IA, Gilmore City and Spencer for 7 years. He also attended New York University for his Masters in Education. Next, they moved to California to teach and had three daughters: Kristin, Kara and Laura.

Kristin Lynn married Charles Richey and they have two sons, Nathan and Joshua. Kristin lives in the Sacramento area.

Dr. Kara Ann married Dr. Maurice Cayem in 1984 and they have two sons: Dr Daniel Robert Cayem and Timothy Andrew Cayem. Daniel Robert married Kathyrn Bergslien and they have three children: Grace Taylor Cayem, Robert Andrew Cayem and Joseph Theodore Cayem. Both families live in Glendora California.

Laura Marie married Arthur Cisneros and had Julia Cisneros. She married next Robert Tracy Allen from Lexington NE. They had Robert Thomas Allen. He has a son William Robert Allen.

The three girls currently own the farm homesteaded by Clarence Monkelien in Grant Township, Pocahontas IA.

Robert taught for 37 years in the West Covina Unified School District and retired in 1991. He was very involved in American Legion, the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. He was a member of OES for 40 years and was presented with a 50 year Golden Veteran Award. He was also involved with Scottish Rite and Sons of the Revolution.

Robert died 11 May 2000 in West Covina and is buried at Forest Lawn Covina, CA. His family is at Graceland Cemetery and we placed a stone there as he wanted with them although he is not buried there. He is very proud of his military heritage and has at least 9 Revolutionary Patriots in his lineage as well as James Hughes who guarded George Washington and was in the Commander in Chief's" Guard.