Robert M. Stevens 1923 - 2015

STEVENS, NIELSON, TRAUDT, JOLLY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/13/2017 at 13:01:59

Sioux City Journal
4 September 2015

SIOUX CITY | Robert M. Stevens, a Nashua, N.H., resident for the past 44 years and a Sioux City native, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015.

Private family services with military rites will be held Saturday in Nashua.

Bob was born in Sioux City, the only son of Edward M. and Effie (Nielson) Stevens on Dec. 26, 1923. Bob was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, after graduating from East High School in Sioux City.

He married Gloria Traudt in 1946. Gloria passed away in 1948. He then married Margaret Jolly in 1951. Margaret passed away in 2002. After the war, he had a successful career in the food refrigeration business. He worked for National Tea Co. and later for Tyler Refrigeration Co. until his retirement in 1988.

Bob had several interests in which he was very involved. He had a passion for auto racing, especially the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Memorial Day Indy 500. Since the early 30s, he collected books and memorabilia about Indy-style racing. Bob attended the Indy 500 almost every year from 1946 to 2012. He was also involved for several years with the Bay State Old-Timers Auto Club. Additionally, he was a WWII aircraft aficionado, loved the circus and was a member of local circus enthusiast organizations. Bob had a very extensive book collection on Western movies and John Wayne and enjoyed reading about pirates. Bob also was an artist, an accomplished bugler in his younger years and a noted high school athlete.

Nicknamed "The Duke", "Steamboat", and "Gunner", Bob's proud legacy is his family. He is survived by his two sons, Craig Stevens and his wife, Julie of Dakota Dunes, S.D., and Mark Stevens and his wife, Louise of Nashua, N.H. Bob had 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His grandchildren include, Dennis J. Quinn (deceased), Ms. Candace A. Quinn of Stamford, Conn., Daniel K. Quinn of Nashua, Mrs. Cathleen Cohen (Tobe) of Mountain Lake N.J., Matthew M. Stevens of Orlando, Fla., Jonathan T. Stevens of Orlando, Mrs. Kelly Mariano (Joseph) of Lowell, Mass., Mrs. Katherine Harms (Curt) of Ankeny, Iowa, Mrs. Sarah Miller (Luke) of Ankeny, Adam (Amy) Stevens of Oswego, Ill., and Dr. Todd Stevens of Birmingham, Ala. great-grandchildren include, Asher, Joey, Flynn, and Avery Cohen, Timber Quinn, Anthony Mariano, Will and Elizabeth Harms, Summer, Drew and Blake Stevens, and Hollie and Mia Miller.

Preceding Bob in death were his two wives; his daughter, Lola J. Quinn in 2014; and a grandson, Dennis J. Quinn in 1980.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New England Auto Racing Museum at Northeast Motor Sports Museum, 7 Bayview Rd., Ipswich, MA. 01938.