Robert F. Drahozal (1934-2022)

DRAHOZAL, PISNEY, WENTHOLD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/9/2022 at 10:24:07

Robert “Bob” Francis Drahozal, 87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died peacefully on April 28, 2022.

Bob was born to Frank and Mary (Pisney) Drahozal on November 11, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from St. Wenceslaus High School in Cedar Rapids in 1952. Bob continued his education at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Accounting in 1956. He later obtained an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1972.

In April of 1959, Bob met the love of his life, Norine Wenthold, at a mixer at Mount Mercy School of Nursing. They danced all evening, and Bob told himself later that night that he had just met the woman he would marry. On July 30, 1960, Bob and Norine were united in marriage at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa. Bob would often say that he had loved Norine his entire life – it just took him 24 years to find her. To this union, five children were born. Bob proudly said that his greatest accomplishments in life were marrying Norine and with her, raising five great kids.

Bob worked at Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from July, 1958 until his retirement in 1996. He started out in the Accounting Department and then transferred in 1961 to the newly formed Computer Programming Department.

Bob actively took part in family life – attending school and sports events, coaching girls and boys basketball at St. Pius X School, participating in Scout activities, giving driving lessons in the Collins parking lot, and so much more. For family vacations, Bob and Norine would pack up their five kids in a station wagon and explore the U.S. from coast to coast. Five kids in a station wagon says it all! Bob was proud of his kids’ achievements in school and their various careers and activities, and always welcomed them home for the holidays or just for a visit.

After retirement, Bob followed his true passions: history and genealogy. He volunteered at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and the Linn County History Museum doing research, cataloging, and other library tasks. He truly enjoyed finding answers to peoples’ questions about history.

Bob and Norine also enjoyed traveling. They visited the Netherlands, London, East and West Berlin, Prague and Vienna. They also traveled to Bangladesh to visit Bob’s brother, Ronald, who served as a Holy Cross Brother missionary.

Bob truly enjoyed trips to visit their kids and their five grandchildren. The Drahozal home in Cedar Rapids was the gathering place for holidays and visits, and kids and grandchildren and grand-dogs were always welcomed with open arms.

Bob also loved his family dogs growing up and the family dogs in Cedar Rapids (Hondo, Jet, Derk, Princess and Kees, who became his walking companion) as well as his grand-dogs. Part of Bob’s retirement fun was feeding the birds (and turkeys and deer and squirrels!) and keeping track of the different birds he would see.

Bob’s memory and love will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 62 years, Norine; his children, Christopher (Kaye) Drahozal, Lisa (Justin) Drahozal Pooley, Rick Seven, Jaime (Nancy) Drahozal and Mark Drahozal; grandchildren, Stephanie Drahozal, Matty (S.J.) Larkspur, Julia Drahozal, Ryan Drahozal and Erin Drahozal; his siblings, John (Sharon) Drahozal and Donald Drahozal; brothers-in-law, Ray (Marsha) Wenthold and Ronald (Marlene) Wenthold; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Drahozal; his in-laws, Henry and Margaret Wenthold; siblings, Brother Ronald Drahozal C.S.C. and Dolores “Lori” Neblung and her husband Don Neblung; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and his special family dogs and grand-dogs.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at Saint Pius X Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Burial services will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Mercy, St. Pius X Church, His Hands Free Clinic or a charity of your choice.

The funeral will be live streamed at https://www.crpiusx.org/live-stream-events

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under “obituaries”.