Taylor, Dr. W. Robert 1931-2025

TAYLOR, MIERAS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2026 at 13:37:01

Dr. W. Robert Taylor, 93, of Boone, IA and Rochester, MN, passed away February 15, 2025, at his home at Shorewood Assisted Living in Rochester, MN.

Robert was born July 18, 1931, in Akron, IA to Victor and Dena (Mieras) Taylor. Robert was raised on the family homestead in Preston Township, Plymouth County, IA. He attended country school in Preston Township and later graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1949. Following high school, Robert attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Wayne, NE. He delayed his education to serve in the US Army in the mid-1950s, and was stationed in Germany for some of that time. Upon his discharge from the service, he returned to Wayne State to complete his bachelor’s degree in education in 1958.

Robert went on to teach in high schools in Nebraska, eventually moving to Cheyenne, WY. During his teaching career in Cheyenne, he pursued his Master’s Degree at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO, which he completed in 1961. In the following years, he attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, completing his PhD in Psychology in 1980. Dr. Taylor went on to teach in colleges in Nebraska and Tennessee, finally settling in Boone, IA, for a long career at Des Moines Area Community College.

In his retirement, Robert spent his time traveling the country to visit friends and family. He eventually became a part-time resident of Rochester, enjoying life spent in both Boone and Rochester. Until his passing, Robert continued to be a life-long learner and teacher, spending many hours reading, studying, and sharing his acquired knowledge.

Robert is survived by his nieces Lisa Greenfield and her husband, Bryan Bjerke, of Sioux Falls, SD, and Jill Taylor Oetken, of Omaha, NE. He is also survived by 9 great nieces and nephews, several great-great nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph Taylor and sister-in-law Marilyn, his nieces Debra Stoos and Lori Tooker, and nieces’ husbands Jim Greenfield and Steven Oetken.

A graveside service for Robert will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Plymouth Presbyterian Cemetery, (16119 Hickory Ave), rural Le Mars, Iowa. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.