Robert V. RAECKER

RAECKER, FOSS, QUANDT, JOHNSON, HUNGERFORD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/6/2009 at 11:59:47

04/24/2002
Belmond Independent, Iowa

Robert (Bob) V. Raecker, 78, Meservey died Thursday, April 18, 2002, a short time after arriving at the Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City.
Services were held April 23 at Salem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Voss presiding. Interment was in Meservey Cemetery.
Bob was born February 17, 1924 at home in Meservey, the son of Garfield E. and Katharine (Foss) Raecker. At a very young age his mother died and he was cared for by his grandmother, Antonette Raecker. Bob graduated from Meservey High School in 1941. He then worked for the family Chevrolet dealership and Standard Oil garage in prior to entering the service. During WWII Bob joined the Army Air Corp and served with the 8th Airforce. He flew 29 missions as a gunner on a B-17. He was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oakleaf clusters for his service. Bob returned to Meservey following the war and worked with his dad until he took over the auto dealership. He was united in marriage with Sylvia Maxine Quandt July 29, 1945 at the Salem UMC. After he retired from the dealership and garage, he worked as foreman in the shipout department of Winnebago Industries in Forest City and managed Pals Mobile Homes in Clear Lake. Bob retired in 1984. Bob was a lifetime member of Salem United Methodist Church. He was a member of the William Schmalle Legion Post #171 in Meservey and the 8th Airforce Historical Society. He also served on the Meservey School Board. He enjoyed automobiles and watching baseball.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Mary, a granddaughter Grace Elizabeth, and a sister Arnelda, in infancy. Bob is survived by his wife, Sylvia; son, Dr. Greg (Rena) Raecker, Cedar Falls and grandchildren Matthew and Anne; sisters, Jeanette (Brady) Johnson, Sulphur, Louisiana, and Kathryn (Eldon) Hungerford, Osage.