Dickey, Robert J.

Robert J. Dickey, 89, of Lone Tree, passed away Monday, April 25, 2011, at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics from complications suffered in a fall.

Bob was born in Enderline, N.D., on Feb. 19, 1922, to Russell and Helen Dickey. He spent most of his early years in Loretto, Minn. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Nov. 27, 1942, as an Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class. Bob spent three years serving his country. After the Navy, Bob became a hardware salesman. During this time, he met the love of his life, Jane. The couple was married on June 14, 1950, in Davenport, and made their home in Lone Tree, where Bob started a Gambles Hardware Store and Jane was a teacher at Lone Tree Community School.

Bob started a new business, Bob's Plumbing and Heating in Lone Tree. He ran this business for over 25 years. He was always on call when someone in the Lone Tree area needed their furnace fixed in the middle of the winter. After Bob retired from his business, he worked for the City of Lone Tree for 10 years then retired. During his retirement, he and Jane served meals for Senior Dining. Bob was also active in the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce, the Lone Tree American Legion, St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Lone Tree Athletic Boosters, Boy Scouts of America, the Lone Tree City Council and Ducks Unlimited.

Bob's favorite thing to do was to go camping with his family and later, spent several years at their family cabin on the Mississippi River doing the family's favorite activity which was boating. He was a fan of the Lone Tree Lions for over 60 years. His favorite sport to watch was high school football. He also loved to watch his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs! He cherished the holidays spent with his family and all the card games. Grandpa always got the best cards!

Bob will be dearly missed by his sons, Bill, Tom and Jim; and his daughters-in-law, Toni, Ruby and Jean, who he loved like his own daughters. Also, his six grandchildren Ashley, Kelley, Steven, Michael, Melanie and Shelby; and his one great granddaughter, Braelynn will miss their dear grandpa who always brought a smile to their faces because he loved them so much.

He also will be dearly missed by his sisters, Betty of Minnetonka, Minn., and Lee of Wickenberg, Ariz.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jane; his parents; two brothers, Gene and Jerome; and an infant sister, Mary Lou.

Services to celebrate Bob's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lone Tree. A military service will follow at the Lone Tree American Legion in front of the Veterans Memorial. A reception for family and friends will be at the Lone Tree American Legion immediately following the military services with an informal reception at Tom and Ruby's in the evening.

Bob's memorial donations can be sent to the Lone Tree Athletic Booster Club to help pay for the new scoreboard on the high school football field.