YOUNG, Robert M. 1919-2016

YOUNG, SEVERAID

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/6/2016 at 08:33:36

Dr. Robert M. Young

Died February 3, 2016

U.S. Veteran

Dr. Robert McDowall Young, 96, of Osage, died peacefully Wednesday, February 3, 2016, at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Osage with Pastor Lance Kittleson officiating. Burial will be in the Osage Cemetery with military honors at the grave by Osage V.F.W. Post 7920 and American Legion Post 278. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Osage Public Library, the Cedar River Complex, or another charity of one’s choice.

Bob was born Feb. 7, 1919 to T.E. and Jean Young in Traer, Iowa. His talent for singing was nurtured at Traer High School, where he sang lead roles in many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

At Iowa State College, Bob sang in a mixed chorus where he met his future wife, Burnette Marjorie Severaid. Bob and Burnie continued singing together throughout their 72-year marriage.

Bob graduated from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1943. He and Burnette were married on May 1, 1943, and he was inducted into the U.S. Army, with the rank of 1st Lieutenant, on May 5.

Bob and Burnie spent a year in Pennsylvania and Virginia while Bob awaited his deployment orders. He was eventually shipped out to India and Burma, where he was assigned as a veterinarian to the 50th Division of the 1st Chinese Army. He cared for mules, horses, and even an elephant.

On Bob’s return to the states, he practiced veterinary medicine in Parkersburg, Iowa before moving to Osage in 1949 where he practiced for 37 years.

Bob was very active in the community, including Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Besides his tenor solos with the church choir, Bob was frequently called upon to sing at weddings and funerals.

An active Rotarian, Bob helped to organize annual Thanksgiving visits from international students at the University of Iowa. He was the song leader for Rotary, keeping up the song-leading tradition of his grandfather. Bob also loved libraries and served as chief fundraiser for the new Osage Public Library.

After retirement Bob and Burnie spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz., enjoying bridge games, golfing, dancing and the warm sunshine after so many years of digging through snowdrifts to get to Bob’s four-legged patients.

Bob had a great sense of humor and loved to have fun. He and Burnette made friends wherever they lived and kept them through many years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Burnette; son Jim (Lauri) of Cedar Falls; daughters Kathleen Young (Bruce Zeytoonian) of St. Paul, Minn.; Susan Jefka (Mark) of Boulder, Colo.; Jean Young (Larry Palmer) of Larchmont, N.Y.; and Cherry Sokoloski (Leonard) of Fort Collins, Colo.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janet and Pete Hermanson of Story City, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home (641)732-3706

Source: Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home website