Grote, Robert William (1922 - 2019)

GROTE, LUTSGRAAF, GAUL

Posted By: Denise Wurner, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/16/2019 at 13:19:36

Name of deceased: Robert William Grote

Aged: 96 yrs, 7 mo, 14 days

Residence: Earling, Shelby County, IA

Born: July 31, 1922; Neola, Pottawattamie County, IA

Died: March 14, 2019; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, March 16, 2019; St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA; burial was in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Portsmouth, IA

Survived by: Brother, Raphael Grote (spouse, Margaret) of Dunlap, IA; sister, Hilary (spouse, Peter) Gaul of Melbourne, FL; sisters-in-law, Theresa Grote of Portsmouth, IA and Betty Grote of Earling, IA; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, William and Julia (nee Lutsgraaf) Grote; brothers, Fred, Jim, Thomas and LeRoy Grote

Education: Started his education at St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Neola, IA and completed his high school education at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Portsmouth, IA, graduating with the class of 1940

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Neola, IA. Was a very dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA; he was active in the choir and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, achieving the rank of Fourth Degree in 1972

Military service: Entered the U. S. Army in July 1945 at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. While in the service, Robert attended Military Police School in France and went on to serve as a Military Policeman for the Army. During his service, Robert was in a flash fire explosion on Aug. 12, 1946 while cleaning a motor pool in Berlin, Germany. Robert and one other serviceman escaped the explosion with serious burn injuries but 7 others died in the accident. His recovery took him from Germany to Paris, France, to the Azores Islands, and then to Gandor Bay, Newfoundland. He finally arrived at Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, MI to complete his 1-year recovery from the accident. Robert received his honorable discharge in Aug. 1947 at Fort Custer in Michigan. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon as well as the World War II Victory Medal for his time of service in Germany.

Marriage: no information provided

Employment: Before and after his military service, Robert worked on the family farm with his father. In 1955, he began his career as Post Master of the Portsmouth (IA) Post Office, a position he held until 1984.

Hobbies/Interests: enjoyed rock hunting; bowling; wine making; gardening; watching home movies; was an avid traveler and took 3 trips around the world with his favorite traveling companions, Monsignor Schwarte and Don Leinen. They spent time in Cairo, Egypt, visited the pyramids in Giza, the Taj Mahal in India, the ancient city in Bangkok, Thailand, the Buddha Statue and caves in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, and visiting Bishop Arkfeld, a Panama, IA native, in Papua, New Guinea, as well as numerous other places around the world.

Sources: kjan.com; knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com