Robert Harold Handley Lt.Col.Retired

Robert Harold Handley, Lt. Col. Retired, 86, of Bettendorf, passed away at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House on November 11, 2012. Committal services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 16, 2012 at Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday, November 15, 2012 and from 12:30 until 1:30 PM on Friday at the Runge Mortuary. Those wishing to attend should meet at the Runge Mortuary by 1:30 PM Friday. In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of Robert’s favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com.

Robert was born on December 18, 1925 in Battle Creek, Michigan. He graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and immediately entered the United States Army Air Corps to serve in World War II. Upon completion of his military duty he became an Air Force Reservist and attended Tri-State College in Indiana. Upon graduation he became a licensed mechanical engineer. Robert also attended the University of Chicago and graduated with a Master’s in business. In the 1960’s he became active duty again in the Air Force and served in Vietnam. He continued to serve in the Air Force until he retired in 1978. He relocated to Bettendorf with his wife and worked at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois as an engineer until he retired.

Robert was an avid rock hound and derived great joy from making jewelry from ordinary rocks and gem stones. He also enjoyed golf and bowling. He was a volunteer for the Angel Tree at Christmas and often volunteered at the Family Museum in Bettendorf. Robert was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He loved dressing up as a monk at Halloween and got great joy from passing out candy to all the children that rang the bell. Robert and Gloria enjoyed their military traveling and after retirement took several trips with the Plus 60’s group.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Hursel E. Handley and Gladys Mae (Wright) Handley and his older brother, Clifford Handley and his older sister, Virginia Casson.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria M. (Martin) Handley. There were married 64 years this December. He is also survived by his three children; Robert P. Handley of Lubbock, Texas, Linda J. Handley, living in Bettendorf, and Lori A. Gunn of Tyler, Texas; grandchildren, Stephanie A. Shelton, Jarrod M. Gunn, both of Tyler, Texas and Jacob D. Gunn who is currently serving in Afghanistan; two great grandchildren, Madelyn and Aiden Shelton and his last surviving family member, his sister, Margaret, living in Battle Creek, Michigan.