Robert Roese

ROBERT ROESE

Keystone

Robert G. Roese, 89, died Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center, where he had been a resident since 2012. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with the Rev. David Lindgard officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by Merkel-Bokholt American Legion Post No. 107 of Keystone. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

A memorial fund has been established.

Robert Glenn Roese, known to family and friends as "Bob," was born May 24, 1925, at Pomeroy, to Herman F. and Carrie (Doyen) Roese. He graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1942. In 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and served his nation until 1946. In 1950, he graduated from Wartburg College where he played basketball and baseball.

Following graduation from Wartburg, Bob moved to Keystone where he was hired as a business and typing teacher. He also served as an assistant basketball and baseball coach. In the late 1950s, he began his banking career at the Keystone Savings Bank, retiring as bank president and CEO, after more than 30 years of service.

Keystone is where he met his future bride, Betty Olson, who also was a teacher. They married on Aug. 12, 1951, at Marshalltown. She preceded him in death on Nov. 28, 2008.

A longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, he enjoyed singing in the choir and also sang with the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks. Bob was a member of the Merkel-Bockholt American Legion Post No. 107, the Keystone Turners, where he enjoyed bowling, and the Keystone Business Men's Club. He enjoyed golfing at the Belle Plaine and at Tara Hills country clubs. In his leisure, he enjoyed doing woodworking projects and especially loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Anyone fortunate enough to meet Bob the first time was made to feel like they just met a wonderful old friend.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Mike) Seeck of Keystone; his grandson, Ben (Jackie) Seeck of Newhall; his granddaughter, Brittany Seeck of Quincy, Mass.; his great-grandchildren, Hunter, Brody and Karsyn Semelroth and Sophia and Brynnlee Seeck; his brother, Gordon (Shirley) Roese of Marcus; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Matetich of Dallas, Texas, and Mary (George) Morris of Milford; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Betty.

Condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneral

homes.com.