McQueen, Robert Martin 1924 - 2024

MCQUEEN, DICKMAN, TALBOT

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/26/2024 at 12:04:47

Robert M. “Bob” McQueen, age 99, of Decorah, formerly of Ridgeway, passed away on January 20, 2024, at Barthell Eastern Star nursing home in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church - 302 W. Broadway St. Decorah, IA, with Rev. Catherine Stokes officiating.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Thursday. Burial with full military honors will be at the Oakland Cemetery in Moulton, IA, on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Robert Martin McQueen was born October 21, 1924, in Moulton, Iowa, the son of I.G. (Glenn) and Allie (Dickman) McQueen. He attended the schools of Moulton and Ridgeway, Iowa, graduating from Ridgeway High School, then continuing his education at Kemper Military School, Boonville, Missouri. After military service in World War II, he attended the University of Iowa, followed by studies at his chosen profession of banking at Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin, and the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University.

He was united in marriage to Iren Talbot of Des Moines and London, England at First United Methodist Church in Decorah on April 26, 1980. They made their home together in Decorah from May 1989, until her passing in September 2011.

Bob’s entire business career was as an Iowa Banker, being associated with the Farmers State Bank at Ridgeway for over 48 years, eventually serving as its president until a merger with Cresco Union Savings Bank was finalized in 1987. He continued working with the Cresco bank office until retiring in December 1989, and then continuing as a CUSB board member until December 2004. He was a lifelong member of the Ridgeway and Decorah Methodist churches and always tried to be faithful in his attendance and support. Bob held memberships and was active in many business and social organizations. He was a member of the Decorah and Ridgeway American Legion Posts for 70 years. He served 41 years of the Ridgeway Fire Department, was a member of the Decorah Masonic Lodge, the Sottish Rite and El Kahir Shrine of Cedar Rapids, Decorah Elks Lodge #443 and is a past Exalted Ruler of the Lodge. He has also been recognized by the Iowa Bankers Association as a 50-year banker and former officer of the state association.

As a young man Bob had a great love for his hobby of competitive pistol shooting. He was coached by his father who had won the United States Pistol Championship when Bob was three years old. He worked hard at this sport and began to excel at an early age, collecting many awards and winning the Iowa State Pistol Champion ship twice while still a teenager. At the age of 16 he held the United States Pistol records and at 17 he teamed with a member of the Iowa Highway Patrol at an NRA sponsored tournament where they set a two-man team world record in three stage center fire pistols. While not able to be competitive for many years, he never lost interest in the sport.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Irene in 2011 and by his parents, Glenn and Allie McQueen. In recent years his life was made more enjoyable by the companionship of a friend of many years, Norma Fisher, who now resides in West Des Moines, Iowa. That friendship goes back to grade and high school and in the years thereafter.

Bob will be remembered as a kind and gentle man. He will be missed by his friends and business associates.