OBITUARY

Robert Wayne Inhofe

February 18, 1924 – March 13, 2014
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Robert Wayne Inhofe, 90, passed from this life on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Senior Suites of Urbandale. Services will be Monday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. at McLaren's Chapel in West Des Moines. Burial at Resthaven Cemetery will follow the funeral service. Visitation with the family will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at McLaren's Chapel. Bob was born on February 18, 1924 in Cumberland, Iowa to Dale and Alice Inhofe. Alice died when Bob was a young child. Dale remarried Martha Meyers who raised Bob and his sisters, Roberta and Betty. Bob was a 1942 Roosevelt High School graduate and track champion. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in WWll in India where he intercepted Japanese Morse Code with the 140th & 956th Signal Radio Intelligence Companies. He graduated from Drake University after his military service. Bob married Lois Ann Chapman on July 7, 1944, a marriage that lasted 65 years before her death in 2009. Bob and Lois raised three children, Tom, Mary and Lisa. Bob had a long career at Meredith Publishing Corporation where he retired as Director of Distribution in 1987. He worked on postal issues throughout his career and served as a consultant to Meredith and the USPS after his retirement. Bob loved to ride his bike, tinker with cars and work with wood. He and Lois were active members of the former Central Gospel Chapel, now known as Creekside Church. Survivors are his son, Tom (Winnie) Inhofe of Honolulu, Hawaii; daughter, Lisa Lockwood of Indianola; and three grandchildren, Lauren (Brock) Konrad of Des Moines, Tommy and Jonny Green of Indianola. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Martha Inhofe; wife, Lois Inhofe; sisters, Betty Kail and Roberta Swanson; and his daughter, Mary Inhofe. The family would like to thank the staff at Senior Suites of Urbandale for the professional caring provided to Bob and Lois and to Hospice of Central Iowa for their tremendous support. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa.

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Services

  • Funeral Service Monday, March 17, 2014
  • Visitation Sunday, March 16, 2014
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REMEMBERING

Robert Wayne Inhofe

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Keith & Kay Acheson

April 15, 2014

We are very sorry to learn the passing of Bob. He is a great man and he will be missed. Also, we thank him for his service to our great country. I will always keep the walnut handles Bob made for my old Colt revolver.

Ronda Gentosi

April 14, 2014

Dear Lisa and Tom, Your parents were our spiritual parents. We grew up under their mentoring. When I brought my wild side boyfriend to church, it was your parents who reached out to him. They had us over almost every Sunday night and loved us. They shared Jesus' love and salvation message. It was in their living room, with all four of us on our knees at their couch, that Rick gave his life to Jesus.
They didn't give up on us. They continued to have us over. We were part of many Bible studies in their living room, passing around the bowl of fish crackers. We learned about the Bible, marriage, raising children, friendship, hospitality, and genuine love.
When it came time for our wedding, we wanted no one except your dad to marry us. We were his first.
They truly meant the world to us. Thank you for sharing your parents with us.
Love,
Rick and Ronda Gentosi

Sandy King

March 18, 2014

One of my favorite memories of Bob was when Lois and I were having a Bible study. Bob came in the front door returning from a bike ride wearing shorts. Lois smiled her big smile, slapped her leg and said, “Doesn't he have cute legs!” I didn't know what to say. He was my church elder! Bob blushed a little, took off his glasses, wiped his forehead and said, “Oh, Lois….I have to go do some work.” They really loved each other and served together as a wonderful team. I am so thankful for the love, time and mentoring they gave to me. I hope to continue their example by investing well in others. I will keep praying for your family as Lois asked me to years ago. Love, Sandy King

Dennis Tootie Molli and Paige Mabie

March 18, 2014

Dear Lisa and Tom,
We were so lucky to have lived next door to your mom and dad for eleven years prior to the airport purchasing our properties on McKinley. They welcomed us with open arms even though some of their best friends moved away giving us the wonderful opportunity to also know your mom and dad. We could not have asked for nicer neighbors, and we cherish many memories from those years. We will always remember your mom and dad offering to let us keep a surprise Christmas present on their front porch on Christmas eve... and as soon as it got dark the surprise started howling like old yeller... yes, it was a dog, and he was scared and lonely, but he was also keeping our very patient neighbors awake:o

We still have the old school bell your dad insisted we take with us when we moved to Altoona in 04, and we have recalled other great memories many times since...

Our girls, who are now 22 and 19, still talk fondly of Bob and Lois and wanted to live in their house :) and find the Iguana that got loose in the back yards - never to be seen again!

Your mom and dad are surely missed by us so we cannot even imagine how you must miss them. In our hearts forever!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we rejoice that Bob is once again with Lois and Mary.

Thanks for the memories Bob and Lois!

Ron Steenhoek

March 17, 2014

What a great person Bob was, always a favorite stop for me as a volunteer for HCI. I have much respect for his military contribution and for his life after that.

Michael Shumway

March 17, 2014

Lisa-
It has been an honor to have known and spent time with your father. I knew him as a kind and caring man, father, and husband. I know that you, your family, and many will miss him dearly. I'm thankful that our paths were joined.
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13

March 17, 2014

My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.

Leo (Marvin) Wright

March 16, 2014

Mr. Inhofe is a person I think of often even though I have not had contact for over forty years. He and Mrs. Inhofe lived next door and often when Kent walker and I were out playing he would join in. I remember taking rides with him in his VW and dining with his family. He was truly an individual that was someone to aspire to be like. Honest, energetic, focused, intense when playing and a lot of fun. The memories of Mr. Inhofe will always be with me and I feel fortunate to have known him. Thank You Mr. Inhofe and may God bless you.
Leo (Marvin) Wright

Jean Zimmermann

March 16, 2014

Dear Tom, Winnie and Lisa and Family,

Thinking of you and the family at this time of sorrow and rejoicing. So happy to know that your dear Dad is at home with his Lord and Savior.

Bob & Lois were very special friends to our family when I was growing up in
Des Moines. One of my very early memories is of Bob & Harry (my Dad) tossing bean bags across the Inhofe's living room to land them on the door trim on the opposite sides of the room.
Bob & Lois were host & hostess at our wedding in '68.
Philippians 4:7 - the peace of God-

Love and prayers,
Helmut & Jean Zimmermann (Ferris)

Ramon Umashankar

March 15, 2014

Dearest Lisa,

Our lives were so enriched by knowing Bob and Lois. When Bob found out I was going to India in 1995 by the long route, taking the Trans Siberian Railway from Moscow to Beijing, he wanted to come along. We had a marvelous time together. In Bombay, we visited the Brabourne Stadium where Bob had participated in the Armed forces track meets during WW II. He was a prince among us and will be dearly missed.

Ramon Umashankar

IN THE CARE OF

McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary
West Des Moines, IA
515-225-7225