Robert William 'Bob' Murtha, 31 Dec 1922 - 13 Feb 2023

MURTHA, MOITZFIELD, COSTELLO, HAYES, SCOVIN, MILLER, HOERST, FENSKE, MATHERS, YORK, BOOTE, COCHRANE

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 2/22/2023 at 14:53:30

Robert (Bob) Murtha, 100, passed away February 13, 2023 at Brooklyn Community Estates in Brooklyn, Iowa.

A rosary will be held Sunday, February 19 at 4 pm at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor, with the visitation following until 7 pm. A funeral mass will take place at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Victor on Monday, February 20, 10:30 am with burial following at the Victor Cemetery. The family invites everyone to attend a luncheon following at St. Bridget’s.

Bob Murtha was born December 31, 1922 on the family farm in Victor, to parents Louis and Kittie (Moitzfield) Murtha. He was raised in Victor and graduated high school from St. John’s Catholic School. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 in the V5 Program as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He served in the Flight Training School in Pensacola, Florida from 1943 to 1945, training in (among other planes) the SBD Dauntless dive bomber; he graduated as a Naval Aviator and was discharged after the war in 1945 with the rank of Ensign.

Bob was a flight instructor at the 24-member Victor Flying Club. He worked at Amana Refrigeration in the 1950’s and again 1967-74, supervising production of appliance manuals and other printed materials.

Bob was united in marriage to Leona “Onie” Costello on August 11, 1948. They farmed and raised their five children on the Murtha family farm. Bob was active in the community. He volunteered in various capacities at St. Bridget’s, and achieved Third and Fourth Degrees in the Knights of Columbus. He was Boy Scout Master in Victor, which was a very active club that produced a number of Eagle Scouts. Bob was a dedicated member of the Victor American Legion from the time of his service and throughout his life. He also enjoyed his time in in Toastmasters International.

Bob enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and Onie danced together to Big Band music and attended many sports and music events for their children. He was an avid golfer, and traveled to many places and countries with his wife after their retirement.

Bob is survived by his children, Diane (Rob) Hayes, Connie (Bill) Scovin, Bob (JoAnn) Murtha, Greg (Beth) Murtha, and Chris (Von) Miller, as well as grandchildren Brian and Kevin Hayes; Cecily and Carson Scovin; Amanda Hoerst, Rachel Fenske and Michael Murtha; Emily Murtha; Jennifer Mathers, Jacob and Jillian Miller. Great grandchildren are Mason, Myles and Arden Hayes; Adelaide and Lawrence Fenske; and Charlotte Mathers.

Onie preceded Bob in death in 2004. He also was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Rose York, Daniel Murtha, James Murtha, Hazel Boote and Donna Cochrane.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the attentive and thoughtful care that Bob received at Brooklyn Community Estates.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent for a Victor American Legion Scholarship fund. Contributions can be sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Published in The Gazette on February 16, 2023 and in The Hometown Current on February 22, 2023.