Goodbye, Grandpa Bob

Our family suffered a great loss this month when 'Grandpa Bob' died on Dec. 20 at age 85. He had been ill for some time now and his health declined further in recent weeks, but it's always a shock to lose a loved one. We love him and miss him dearly, and we're thankful and darn lucky we had him around as long as we did.

Growing up, we always had Christmas Eve with the Wilson side at Grandpa Bob and Grandma Rita's house outside of Stuart. I remember there often being a big pot of clam chowder for dinner that was only eaten by Grandpa Bob and maybe one or two others. (Good ... more for him, I'm sure he thought.)

Bob and Rita celebrated 63 years of marriage this year and left a legacy of love for one-another — and for family — that we all need to do our best to live up to. (Natalie and I will be married 5 years this coming July 9 ... 58 more years and we'll tie 'em!)

I won't get into a lot of the stories from all the time I spent with Grandpa Bob, but I can tell you it was always interesting. He was the type of guy who always had something going on, some project to work on, and often he'd involve his kids, grandkids and his friends in the 'scheme.' His farm was (is) cool, with plenty of room to explore and all sorts of out buildings with cool stuff inside to play with. He always had goofy dogs that were either too friendly or not friendly enough; if they were good, they'd be invited onto the porch. Bob and Rita softened a bit recently and, more often than not, you'd find a dog inside with them, something I NEVER remember seeing when I was young. And that dang blue S10 pickup squeaked like I've never heard a truck squeak. (You could be in the back of my dad's store and hear him coming down the alley.)

Once I hit my growth spurt (around age 15 or so), Grandpa Bob never let the opportunity pass to slump when he got near me, like he was shrinking, then lift himself up on his tip-toes to try to look me straight in the eye.

And naps, I can't forget the naps. It never failed. After every lunch I think he ever ate, Grandpa Bob would take a nap.

At the funeral, which was on Saturday, Dec. 26, I was invited to read an excerpt of a poem by Sam Walter Foss: 'House by the side of the road.' Grandpa knew the specific excerpt by heart and, eventually, came to enjoy the entire poem. I think he's been quoted as calling it "Damn good."

The excerpt:

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

My sister, known on this blog as Aunt Melissa Wilder (Sydney's mom), preceded me at the microphone with a thank you to everyone who came to the funeral and who supported our family during this sad time. I'm paraphrasing her closing words: "Grandpa Bob showed us all how to grow old with grace ... and humor."

Family friend Charlie Hawley also had a few kind words for Grandpa Bob at the end of the funeral: 'Bob was a friend of mine ... He could find humor in anything ... God never made a better man for free, and if he did he kept him for himself.'

The photo in this post of Jasper and his great-grandpa Bob was taken around Aug. 16, 2008. Just two guys hanging out, probably telling each other bad jokes. I don't think anyone took photos of it, but recently when J made another trip to see Bob and Rita, he and Bob were giving each other knuckles (or 'pounds', as some call it).

In the coming weeks I'm going to try to upload a few more photos of Grandpa Bob from throughout the years. I know there are some pretty cool ones out there, I just have to find them.


ROBERT HOWARD WILSON
May 10, 1924-Dec. 20, 2009

Robert Howard Wilson was born May 10, 1924, to Elmer and Esta Brown Wilson in Stuart, Iowa.

Bob attended country school until the eighth grade and graduated from Stuart High School in May 1942. He served in World War II, enlisting October 1942 in the USNR. He served in the Pacific Amphibious Flotilla and reached the rank of MoMM1c. He served on a top secret LCC (Landing Craft Control) Boat in the battles of Saipan and Tinian. After the war and for 35 years he had little contact with his fellow LCC’ers. In 1981 he was instrumental in starting the first reunion with old buddies and they had many stories to share.

After discharge in January 1946 he returned to Stuart and on June 6, 1946, married Rita Carey, daughter of James and Ruth Farrell Carey. They began farming north of Stuart and had six children. One year in the early 1960s when crops failed, he commuted to Chicago for months to take courses in refrigeration repair. He worked for Sears Appliance Repair Department in Des Moines for several years while continuing to farm. He and Rita farmed northwest of Stuart for 63 years. After semi-retirement, he enjoyed helping out where he could, gardening, going to coffee and was an avid reader.

Bob loved inventing, trying to figure out a better way to do something and exploring new adventures. He was rarely without a project and usually talked kids, grandkids or friends into getting involved. He appreciated family history and remembered stories on almost everyone. He was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church.

To his many friends and family he will be missed and remembered as a man who enjoyed being involved and having numerous interests. He was a member of the American Legion serving as Adjutant & Service Officer, Sons of the American Revolution, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The Society of the War of 1812. He served on the County Historical Museum Board and as Township Trustee on the County Extension Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and actively involved with the Calvary Cemetery plaques for service men and women. He also helped restore the old Quaker section at North Oak Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Rhea, who died at birth.

Surviving are his wife Rita; children, Phyllis (Roy) Irish of Clive; Steve (Jean) Wilson of Denver, Colo.; Paul (Debbie) Wilson of Menlo; John (Roni) Wilson and Barbara (Guy) Hayden both of Stuart; Kathy (Bob) Zenner of Naperville, Ill.; 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 7 step grandchildren, 10 step great grandchildren and 3 step great-great grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at the All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service with a rosary recited at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be held at a later date in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Catholic Cemetery and/or the Hospice of Central Iowa Perry-Boone Chapter in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 123 NE Second Street, Stuart, Iowa 50250 (515) 523-1200.

Online condolences may be left at www. johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com