Reilly, Robert Morris 1936 - 2024
REILLY, SHEEHY, FUNKE, SZABO, MITCHELL, FENELON, MARTINEK, COSTIGAN, KUENNEN, TANCOS, STANLEY, GREENSLADE, LANPHIER
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 11/9/2024 at 11:25:25
Robert (Bob) Morris Reilly, 87, died peacefully on November 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born in Reilly Ridge, Iowa, on December 25, 1936, to the late Clair and Delphine (Sheehy) Reilly. He grew up alongside his seven sisters, sharing one bathroom and sleeping in a closet. From an early age, the values of hard work, dedication, and giving back to the community were instilled in him, which he carried throughout his life.
Bob married Catherine (Kathy) Funke on February 4, 1961. This was just the beginning of their life of adventure. When Bob met Kathy, he found his true partner in life. Someone who was beside him every step of the way, enabling him to be the man he became. Bob and Kathy loved traveling the globe and soaking up the sun in Arizona during Iowa’s cold winters. They shared a passion for golf, and were past members at both Silver Springs and South Winneshiek Golf and Country Club. Together, they had two children, Bridget and Christopher. The family bonded over their love of Arabian horses, spending countless hours together in the barn and at horse shows across the country.
His father, Clair, founded Reilly Construction Company, Inc. in 1947, and from age 11, Bob was immersed in the business. He could often be found on job sites running equipment, managing projects, and helping wherever needed. It was in this job where he flourished. Under his leadership and direction, Reilly Construction became an industry leader. There was rarely a day he wasn’t at the shop or office to keep a pulse on the projects.
In 1985, Bob was honored to be appointed President of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Iowa, where he made a lasting impact on the construction industry. He served on the Business Practices Committee for many years where he worked closely with the Iowa DOT, was a trustee on the AGC of Iowa Foundation Board, and continued to serve on the AGC board until his death. In addition, he was a Board Member of and sat on several committees for the Associated General Contractors of America. During his time with the AGC, Bob was instrumental in developing the Iowa Department of Transportation’s highway concrete recycling initiatives. He was passionate about fundraising to provide scholarship funds to the younger generations in construction.
Bob received many industry honors over the years. In 2002, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the AGC of Iowa Hall of Fame, recognizing his dedication to the betterment of the Iowa highway construction industry. In 2011, Bob was awarded the AGC of Iowa’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership and contributions to his community and the state of Iowa. In celebration of the AGC’s 100th Anniversary in 2023, Bob shared remarks to commemorate the achievements of the AGC and Iowa construction industry.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman, often spending time on his farms and on fishing and hunting trips with his friends. He was also a longtime member of Pheasants Forever. His love for machinery went beyond his day job. In his later years, he could be found at local car and tractor rides, always tinkering, and occasionally finding himself stranded and calling for help when they just wouldn’t start again.
Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, taking them on car rides where he’d promise to take a shortcut but instead took the long, scenic route. He always made a point to roll down the window every time they entered a town, no matter the temperature outside, so that everyone “could get some fresh air”. Bob wasn’t much of a cook, but would never hesitate to whip up raspberry malts and popcorn for dinner—a tradition his grandkids remember fondly and carry on.
Bob could often be found at Bambinos for his daily coffee club, surrounded by friends–new and old. His friendships spanned decades and many miles in between. No matter how long it had been between visits, it was like no time had passed. Bob had a special ability to make connections with those around him. He naturally made people feel included, and the mumbling and light swearing in your direction made sure you knew he cared.
Bob’s sense of community extended to his involvement with St. Francis de Sales Parish, where he was a Eucharistic Minister and President of the parish council and building committee when the new church was constructed in 1996-1997. During company management meetings, bets were made on how long it would be before Bob started talking about the church. He was a lifetime Knights of Columbus member.
We celebrate Bob–a man who had a generous spirit and lived life at full throttle. Bob always had a twinkle in his eye and a toothpick in his mouth—or at least a toothpick stuck to the dashboard of his truck with a piece of Nicorette affixed to it.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Delphine; stepmother, Delores (Lavell) Reilly; and his sisters, Patricia (Victor) Szabo and MaryAnn (Donald) Mitchell. Bob is survived by his wife, Kathy; sisters Jacqueline Fenelon, Jeannie (Julius) Martinek, Kathleen (Michael) Costigan, Cindy Reilly, Pam (Allan) Kuennen; daughter, Bridget (Brian) Tancos; son, Christopher (Rita) Reilly; four granddaughters, Erin (Jeff) Stanley, Susan Tancos, Rachel (Jake) Greenslade and Hanna Reilly; and one great-grandson, Levi Lanphier, in addition to countless nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Ossian Ambulance Fund, PO Box 1 Ossian, IA 52161
St. Francis de Sales Church, 107 E. South Street, P.O. Box 819, Calmar, IA 52132
AGC of Iowa Foundation, 701 East Court Avenue, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 3-7 pm with a Rosary at 2:30 pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Ossian, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. Knipper as the Celebrant. Attendees are asked to come in and be seated as there is no visitation before Mass.
Interment will follow at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian, Iowa.
A meal and fellowship will follow at Silver Springs Golf Course, Ossian, Iowa.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ossian, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.
Source: Grau Funeral Home database
St. Francis de Sales Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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