Bostwick, Robert Gene 1922-2010

BOSTWICK, MCCARTY, BEERS, BOWEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/29/2017 at 09:30:06

ROBERT GENE BOSTWICK
Des Moines
1922-2010

Robert "Bob" Gene Bostwick, 87, moved on to his next life on Saturday, September, 4, 2010, from Kavanagh House in Des Moines.

Robert, the youngest of four boys, was born December 20, 1922, in Perry, IA to parents Robert James and Emma Marie (McCarty) Bostwick. He grew up on a farm near Perry, graduated from Perry High School in 1941, and earned his Associates Degree from AIB College of Business.

Robert was a Pharmacists' Mate in the South Pacific for the US Navy during WWII, attached to the Marine Corps 11th Defense Battalion.

In 1944, Robert and Kathleen Mary Beers were married in Ann Arbor, MI. Of this marriage, three children were born.

After WWII, he began working for the Post Office Department as a mailhandler, and then as a letter carrier. Later he went into management at the US Postal Service. When he retired from his 38 year Postal career in 1988, he was a delivery station manager in Des Moines.

Robert was active in his church, Immanuel United Methodist, and served as a leader in the Merrigolds Fellowship group. He was a lifetime member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 148 as well as the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 352. He was active in Kiwanis, a member of American Legion Post 374, and a brother of Acanthus Masonic Lodge No. 632.

In his younger years, Robert enjoyed fishing trips in MN. He loved to travel and meet new people. He and Kathleen enjoyed numerous family vacations all across the country, and experienced several trips to various countries with the Friendship Force, where they made and continued to correspond with many friends.

Throughout his life, Robert enjoyed various sports, and was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Michigan Wolverines, Drake Bulldogs, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Yankees. He enjoyed bluegrass, polka, and traditional country music, and attended many live performances. He loved history and was very involved in tracing the family's genealogy.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Mary (Beers) Bostwick, of Des Moines; son Robert Franklin (Pamela Sue), of Rockaway Beach, MO; son Garry Gene (Janet) of Boise, ID; daughter Cheryl Kaye Bowen (Duane), of Highland, IN; six grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and many friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 10, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Iles Funeral Home, Westover Chapel. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 11, 2010, 11 a.m., at Immanuel United Methodist Church, in Des Moines; with a luncheon immediately following. A graveside service with military honors will be held at Violet Hill Cemetery, in Perry, IA at 2:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Immanuel United Methodist Church, Hospice of Central Iowa, or Iowa Home Health Hospice.

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=robert-bostwick&pid=145601251#sthash.qpQ8PzB4.dpuf ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register, Thurs 9 Sept 2010.