Black Hawk County

 

Robert Walter Butschy

 

 

 

Robert Walter Butschy was born June 25 1927 to Walter M. and Louise Ione Kline Butschy. He died Oct. 4, 2006 and is buried in Westview Cemetery, La Porte City, IA.

Robert served with the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the Y.T.L. 585 and USS Laurens (APA 153). He also served in the Korean War.

His Obituary: Life Legacy - Dahl-Van Hove-School Funeral Home, Cedar Falls, IA

ROBERT W. BUTSCHY died October 4, 2006 at Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls, Iowa surrounded by family and friends in the last days of his life. He was born to Louise and Walter Butschy in LaPorte City, Iowa on June 25, 1927. He was a Veteran of the Navy during World War II and the Korean War and while in the service was responsible for the saving the lives of two fellow sailors.

Robert graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in art education and married Glenyce Judas on June 21, 1952. His diverse talents and interests led him to pursue a variety of careers including that as an art educator. He worked in sales at Waterloo Steel and Equipment, Sentry Insurance and AstroloyVulcan Steel. He worked as a technical writer at Chamberlin Corporation, as a quality engineer at John Deere Corporation and engineer at Weissman Corporation.

In his early adult years he worked for the railroad and began a life long career in aviation culminating with work as a commercial pilot. He owned Northeast Automatic Communications selling and servicing Code-a-Phones, among the first automatic communication machines.

Robert's passionate and intellectual interests included fishing and conservation efforts primarily in Northeast Iowa. He was an avid supporter of jazz music playing in jazz bands beginning in High School in Webster City, Iowa. He was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. His further interests included photography and astronomy. He was a local political pundit and human rights supporter.

Robert’s belief’s included a faith in reason and the following code: "I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon-if I can. I seek opportunity-not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and succeed. I prefer the challenge of life to the guaranteed existence, the thrill of fulfillment to the state of calm utopia. It is my heritage to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefits of creations, and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done." Robert was preceded in death by his parents and aunt, Frances Dahlenbach. He is survived by daughter, Lynne (Michael) Lent of St. Louis Park, MN, one son, Ross (Carol) Butschy of Cedar Falls and Glenyce Butschy also of Cedar Falls. Grandchildren include Thomas Aaron, Daniel Lent, Michelle (Pete) Gallery, a great grandson, Aiden, an aunt, Faye Mullen of Cupertino, California, and nieces, nephews and many friends.

A memorial fund in honor of Robert W. Butschy has been set up to provide scholarships for jazz students at the University of Northern Iowa. Memorials may be sent to the UNI Foundation, 205 Commons, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614. A UNI Jazz Band II and III concert will be dedicated to Robert on November 15, 7:30 pm at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

Private inurnment will be at Westview Cemetery, LaPorte City, Iowa. Family and friends may gather on Saturday, October 7, 2006 between 7 - 9 pm at the Broom Factory Restaurant, 125 W. First Street (Hwy. 57) in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Source: ancestry.com