Robert "Bob" Howe

Robert E. (“Bob”) Howe Sr. passed away peacefully on Friday, January 7, 2011 at The Village at Legacy Pointe in Waukee, Iowa. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at McLaren’s Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.

Bob was born on March 19, 1919 in Albia, Iowa to Carl A. and Louella B. (Martin) Howe. Bob graduated from Albia High School in 1937 and worked at various jobs before joining the Minneapolis and St Louis Railroad in the spring of 1942. Later that year, he entered the Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. He also served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service medal with three bronze service stars. After returning from Korea Bob returned to work at the railroad in Oskaloosa, Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, and Des Moines, Iowa. He retired from the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in 1979.

While living in Fort Dodge he met and married Mildred Johnson in 1953. In addition to his loving wife Mildred Howe of Waukee, he is survived by his four children – Rebecca Howe of Des Moines, Robert Howe Jr. (Tami) of Horn Lake, Mississippi, Kathryn Powell of Omaha, Nebraska and John Howe (Becky) of Olive Branch, Mississippi, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his sister, Hettie Augspurger of Bloomfield, Iowa. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Wilma Woodard and brothers Earl, Carl, and Howard Howe.

In addition to his love of railroads, Bob loved gardening, camping, traveling and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. During his lifetime he visited the majority of the lower 48 states with his wife and family. He was a lifetime member of the Wild Rose Chapter of the Good Sam Club and a member of the American Legion.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at McLaren’s Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Iowa Hospice.