Girvan, Dr. Robert Franz (1938-2001)

GIRVAN, CARLSON, CHASE, SUTTON, ESKE, HORAK

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/27/2022 at 10:22:54

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, October 22, 2001

Dr. Robert Franz Girvan, 63, Stanhope, died Oct. 19, 2001. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Foster Funeral Home, Webster City, with Rev. John Grebner officiating. Burial will be in the Odebolt Cemetery, Odebolt, Iowa. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday and prior to the services Tuesday at the funeral home.

Robert Franz Girvan was born January 7, 1938 near Odebolt to Robert McCulloch Girvan and Dorothy Carlson Girvan. He married Mary Anna Chase in Ames on August 30, 1958. Dr. Girvan graduated from Odebolt High School in 1956, earned his bachelor's, master's and doctor of philosophy degree in physics from Iowa State University in Ames, and continued post-doctoral studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He taught at Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts, Des Moines Area Community College, Boone Campus, and Iowa State University. He was employed in research at Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa before his retirement.

Dr. Girvan was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Girvan of Odebolt, sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen C. Girvan of Omaha, Neb., Daniel H. and Gwendolyn Girvan of Maple Grove, Minn., Robert C. and Michelle Girvan of Lewisville, Texas; daughter, Katherine Ann Girvan of Alviso, Calif.; sisters, Gloria Sutton, Templeton, Iowa, Bonnie Eske, Ankeny; Barbara Horak, Cedar Rapids; brother, James H. Girvan, West Branch; and eight grandchildren.