Robert Leland Finney

Robert Leland Finney, 89, passed peacefully August 5, 2021. He was born February 20, 1932 Decatur County, IA. He grew up farming with his family, graduated from Lincoln HS Des Moines, Iowa and joined the Air National Guard, serving mostly in Bangor, ME. After his military service, he was a carpenter--residential and commercial in Des Moines. October 1955, Robert met Marilyn Grace Bauman, at a Farm Bureau dance. She preceded him in death, but was his lifelong love and companion of sixty- three years.

Robert attended a layman’s retreat, early 1960s in Chicago, IL and this event changed his life. With a new depth of Biblical truth, he dedicated his life to serving Christ Jesus in the work of the church. The call to serve opened a vocation path, sending him and his family to live and serve amidst the beauty of prairies, lush forests, scattered lakes, rolling hills, majestic mountains, waterfalls and more. He answered God’s call, stepping into Outdoor Christian Education and Camping with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Robert was first called to Knox Knolls, Guthrie Center, IA early 1960s, then on to MI, TX, NC, and CO before returning to his Iowa roots, 1993. His skill sets proved invaluable, perfect for general operations, programming and development. His intuitive and visionary mind coupled with people skills helped many long-range planning committees. (Camp Greenwood, Gowan, MI; Camp Bear Lake, Lapeer, MI; Camps Howell and Sarah Grindley, Howell, MI; Camp Gilmont, Gilmer, TX; Camp Buc and Camp Eva Good, near Brevard, NC; Highlands Presbyterian Camp & Retreat Center, Allenspark, CO).

He loved people and people loved him. Always young at heart he had a passion for sharing God’s love, building relationships, and serving others. You could always engage him in thought provoking conversations. He loved the outdoors with a motto to “leave it better than you found it.” Robert loved using his hands to build, repair, finish carpentry, whittling, rope tying, etc. His favorite bird was the Common Loon with its eerie beautiful songs. Training staff, greeting campers, cookouts, hayrides, campfires, devotionals, singing, skits and S'mores were all avenues for Robert to demonstrate God’s love.

Apart from camping, he and Marilyn were active in Presbyterian Mariners with Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, IA. He volunteered with The Gideons International, a Christian evangelical organization, named after Gideon, a man willing to do what God called him to do. Robert also belonged to the Masons, a fraternal organization deriving its name from stonemasons, Gnemeth Lodge #577.

In his last few weeks, he would respond warmly to visitors, and upon leaving he’d say, “Be safe. Have fun.” Deeply missed, but his profound legacy lives on. Robert is survived by his sister, Patricia (Finney) Carney, Adair, IA; son, Robert (Teresa) Finney, Johnston, IA; daughter, J Diane Farris, Highlands Ranch, CO; grandchildren: Andrew (Lela) Farris and great-grandsons Safron, Roran, Gideon of Joy, IL; Misha Farris, Lafayette, CO; Grace Farris, Loxton, CA; niece Janette (Bill) Thede, Granger, IA.

Visitation will be Wednesday 6:00 – 8:00 PM, August 11, McLaren's Resthaven Chapel 801 19th Street, WDM, IA. Interment will be 10:30 AM Thursday, August 12 at the VA Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Dr. Adel, IA. His Celebration of Life Memorial Service and Fellowship Lunch will follow the burial 12:00 PM Thursday, August 12, at Heartland Presbyterian Church 14300 Hickman Rd, Clive, IA 50325. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following: Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 www.sendtheword.org and/or Heartland Presbyterian Church, 14300 Hickman Rd, Clive, IA 50325 www.hpcusa.org.