Plank, Robert C.

Robert C. Plank, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital after a short illness. Services, with military rites: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial will be Friday at Lakeview Memorial Park Cemetery in Oshkosh, Wis. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine; a daughter, Sue Biederman of Cedar Rapids; a son, Steven of Garden Grove, Calif.; and two sisters, Lorraine Vance of Mission, Kan., and Juanita Sumner of Eldon. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michelle Biederman of Washington, D.C., Michael Biederman of North Liberty and Courtney and Caelan Plank, both of Garden Grove, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy; and an infant daughter, Virginia Ann.

Robert was born May 20, 1920, in Eldon, the son of Charles and Fanny (Russell) Plank. He graduated from Eldon High School in 1938. Robert joined the Navy in 1942 and achieved the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. He was stationed at Kaneohe Bay Naval Base in Hawaii and at the Ottumwa Naval Air Station, where he met his future wife, Elaine. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 and was united in marriage to Elaine Rhyner that same year.

In 1950, both Robert and Elaine attended and graduated from the Kansas City School of Watch Making and Jewelry Repair. In 1960, they opened and successfully ran Plank Jewelers in the former Killian's department store in downtown Cedar Rapids.

He was a member of the Eldon United Methodist Church, American Legion, VFW, the Shriners and Crescent Masonic Lodge.

Robert loved to chat with people and always was there to brighten a person's day. He was known the last several years as the “Gum Man” as he would hand out pieces of gum to those with whom he came in contact. He had a gift of being able to talk to anyone and make them feel special and at ease.

He was totally in love with his wife of over 65 years and was a wonderful and loving father. He will be so very missed, but we are grateful for the time and life we had with him.

The family would like to thank the professionals and caregivers for their kindness and care for Robert; the doctor and nurses of St. Luke's Hospital, St. Luke's Hospice team members, Dr. Abha Saxena and Therapy Solutions.

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