R.M. TRAVISS 1927 to 2011

TRAVISS, MEYER, MOTT, GRIESER, PIKE, BALDWIN

Posted By: James Mincks (email)
Date: 1/16/2011 at 07:51:14

R.M. Traviss went to his heavenly home on Sunday, January 9, 2011. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 13 at Staves United Methodist Church, 2747 East Madison Ave. Burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

R.M. was born at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines on May 29, 1927 to Norman Wesley and Hattie Meyer Traviss. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1945 as president of his class. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. On September 27, 1952 he married Roberta Mott and they started their life together.

From an early age R.M. knew electronics would be a big part of his life. As a young man he made crystal radios. After graduating from Chicago Technical College with a degree in Electrical Engineering he returned to Des Moines to pursue his life-time love of electronics and was a pioneer in the development of consumer electronics in the State of Iowa. In 1949 R.M. bought Paramount Television which later became Traviss T.V. and Electronics which is now known as Traviss Audio Video. He winessed the development of black & white tube television to thin panel LED. R.M. was honored to co-sign on loans for 1st generation Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese immigrants when they were unable to find credit elsewhere. His favorite past-time was showing the Latest and Greatest to his customers. He took pride in working up until the time of his illness.

R.M. was a member of Staves United Methodist Church for over 60 years and participated in the Staves Men's Breakfast Club. He was president of the Television Serviceman's Association of Iowa, was the longest standing member of the Reciprocity Club, and was a member of the Rotary International, Izaak Walton League, Hy-Vee Breakfast Club, Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity and East Gate Masonic Lodge.

R.M. loved to fish with family and friends, especially in Canada as well as along the Des Moines River at "Ray's Cabin" and in Costa Rica. He enjoyed playing pitch, pheasant hunting, bird watching and his John Deere tractor. With the help of family and friends he built his home on E. 38th Street, Hackberry Hill. Upon returning home after a day of work he would sit on the patio swing, look out into the pasture and say, "Lord, how great thou art."

R.M. was a patient, generous and kind man. His family, employees, church, Hope Ministries, the Salvation Army and many others were recipients of his generosity. Those left to cherish this man of integrity and honesty include his wife of 58 years, Roberta; five children, Rhonda (Dwight) Grieser, Sherri (Jim) Pike, Randy (Georgia) Traviss, Sheila (Bonita) Traviss, Jeff (Kelly) Traviss; grandchildren, Amanda (Jeremy) Hohnstreiter, Christopher Grieser, Caleb (Nicole) Pike, Sarah Grieser, Madison Traviss, Huston Traviss, Mallory Traviss; and two great-grandchildren, Cadence Pike and Julia Hohnstreiter; and canine friends, Daphne and Rumsfeld. He will also be greatly missed by his employees, many friends, two brother in-laws, two sister in-laws and many beloved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Hattie Traviss; his mother and father in-law Walter and Clara Mott, two sisters, Haida Baldwin and Marguerite Traviss; and two brothers, Norman and Parthen Traviss.

Visitation will be this Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Iles Funeral Homes-Grandview Park Chapel. Memorial contributions may be directed to Staves United Methodist Church or Hope Ministries.

Sempre Fi.

taken from the Des Moines Register, Metro section; Wednesday, January 12, 2011; page 7B, columns 1,2&3.