Robert Belmont KAY

KAY, WIESE, JEWELL, GARWOOD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/19/2006 at 23:31:49

Robert Belmont Kay, 78, of Clarion, died March 17, 2001, in Tucson, Arizona. Funeral services were held Friday, March 23, at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion. Rev. Charles Kellogg officiated at the 2 p. m. service. Robert Belmont Kay was born May 26, 1922, in Atlantic, the son of Harry and Hattie Kay. He grew up on a farm near Atlantic and was always proud that he attended a one room school house. He graduated from Atlantic High School in 1939. He attended the University of Alabama and was attending Drake University Law School when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served three years of which 18 months was in the China Burma India theatre in intelligence. After his discharge he returned to law school and graduated in 1947. He received many honors at the university during his senior year. He and Alice Lou Wiese were united in marriage on June 1, 1947, and he began his law practice at Clarion, Iowa, at that time. He served as president of the Wright County Bar Association, the Iowa Motel Association and the Clarion Development Commission, the Clarion Lions Club and is a Melvin Jones Fellow, as well as being active in the Methodist Church. Throughout his life Bob was a “visionary” and was able to see what the community needed. He, and his partner, Clif Evans, built an office and apartment building, Clarion’s first motel and well over 100 dwelling units. They also built 17 nursing homes in Iowa and returned to each to build additional beds to the original. Bob loved Clarion and served the community well as City Attorney for 17 years and as a member of the Clarion Hospital Board for 12 years and was instrumental in the building of the Meadows. He was also a member of the Brenton Bank Board for many years. Bob loved his family and always took time to be with them at the lake and other family vacations. He loved to travel and did so extensively.

Bob is survived by his wife, Alice, of Clarion; two daughters, Kathy Jewell and husband, Bill of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Debby Garwood of Ames; one son, Brian and wife, Bonnie of St. Cloud, Minnesota; four grandchildren; two brothers, Henry Kay and Gerald Kay, both of Atlantic.

© Wright County Monitor 2001