Robert Harold Thorp

Robert H. Thorp, 87 years old, of Cape Coral, Florida, died on Thursday, February 3rd, peacefully in his home. He was born on Dec. 24, 1934, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Mary Krakow. He graduated from Independence High School with the Class of 1953. He was in the Army from November 1953 to November 1955. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in England. On March 2nd of 1957, he and Lois Jean Prentice were married in DeKalb, Illinois. They became parents in October of 1957 when Lois gave birth to Kevin and added another son, Craig, in August of 1960. They lived in Independence from 1957 until 1984 when they moved to Florida.

Many of his family and close friends called him “Bob” or “Bobber.” During his time in Iowa, Bob participated in FFA, wrestling, and football while attending Independence High School. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Independence and the Independence Jaycees, and a life member of the VFW. Stock Car racing was a hobby he enjoyed very much. He raced himself in a mini stock car, number 44 JR, he helped as a member of the pit crew for car 44, and was a flagman, all at Independence Motor Speedway. He also was an avid NASCAR fan and had great memories of attending Michigan International Speedway with his sons, Kevin and Craig, and grandson, Nic. He also enjoyed participating in golf and pool leagues, as well as fishing. While living in Iowa, he created Thorp Construction, in which his boys and other family members worked under him. After living in Florida for a period of time, he and Lois purchased a cabin on the Wapsipinicon Golf Course in Independence and summered there for a number of years. Kevin, Nic, and other family and friends would visit their cabin often. Bob loved to build golf clubs and work on golf carts. While in Florida, Bob and Lois lived on Upper Captiva Island from 1984 to 1989, when they built a house in Cape Coral. Bob worked on Upper Captiva as the maintenance manager for the Safety Harbor Club from 1984 until 2000, when he retired. In Cape Coral, Bob was a member of the First Congregational Church, the VFW, and the Moose Lodge, all in Cape Coral. After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking, keeping his orchids healthy, puzzles, attending spring training games, deep-sea fishing, and more.

Robert is survived by his wife, Lois Thorp of Cape Coral; two sons, Kevin (Carrie) Thorp of Marion, Iowa and Craig Thorp of Cape Coral, Florida; two grandsons, Tim (Jenny) Badker of Hiawatha, Iowa, and Nic (Amanda) Thorp of Marion, Iowa; and three great grandchildren, Kellen Thorp (8), Reece Thorp (5), and Berkley Thorp (3), all of Marion, Iowa. He was also survived by his sister Jean (Paisley) Rouse of Independence, Iowa; Melvin (Cherie) Paisley of The Villages, Florida, and Paul (Nancy) Paisley of Independence, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Mary Paisley, and his brother-in-law, Clarence Rouse.