Svatos, Robert E. 'Bob'

Robert E. “Bob” Svatos, 84, formerly of Iowa City, died Friday, May 17, 2013, at Cedar Manor Care Center in Tipton. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bob's memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Robert Edward Svatos was born Nov. 8, 1928, in Tabor, S.D., the son of George A. and Petronella F. (Chadim) Svatos. Growing up Bob worked hard, helping on the family farm and the neighbors' farms. He was united in marriage to Marie Lucille Villhauer on April 12, 1950, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City. As an only child, marrying into a family with 14 children was a big change, but he was welcomed with open arms by the Villhauer family. The couple lived in this area their entire married life.

Bob owned and operated Bob's Mobile Station on Interstate 80 at the Oxford exit. He later drove semi for Hummer Trucking, and retired from the University of Iowa food service at Burge Hall after many years.

Bob was a wonderful role model and a father figure to many. He and Marie gave the Burge students a home away from home. Many a euchre game was played at the house on Rochester Avenue. Bob was always helping Marie turn over noodles as they dried, and fill kolaches with his favorite poppy seed. He delivered many trays of candies and cookies at Christmastime. It was obvious they were created with love and care.

Bob was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, former member and chief of the Tiffin Volunteer Fire Department, and had served with the Iowa National Guard. He enjoyed his flower gardens, traveling with Marie and family all across the United States, calling and playing bingo, and listening to the old time bohemia music whether it was live with Leo Shima or on the Sunday morning radio show. If John Deere had a fan club, Bob would be its biggest fan. He loved collecting anything and everything there was to do with those green and yellow tractors. Red might have been his favorite color, but not on tractors! Ultimately, nothing was more important to Bob than his family and everyone was his friend. He was a good listener and had a lot of wisdom to share. The impact he made on people's lives is amazing.

His family includes two sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Gayle Svatos of Coralville and Tim and Becky Svatos of Iowa City; daughter and son-in-law, Maggie and Tom (Petey) Curry of Muscatine; grandsons, Chad (Julia) Curry, Brian (Jenny) Curry and Austin Svatos; granddaughters, Callie (Will) Valet, Meghanne (Zachary) Lickteig, Amanda Svatos (fiance, Jonathan Wierzba), Elaine Svatos and Pamela Svatos; 13 great-grandchildren, Thomas, Ellis, Ethan and Emma Curry; Isabelle, Will, Brandon, and Gabi Valet; and Ava Svatos, Holin and Devon Martin, Nolan Wierzba, and Quincy Lickteig; brother-in-law and wife, Donnie and Marcia Villhauer of Atalissa; sisters-in-law;, Joan Hummer of Oxford, Maisie Villhauer of Coralville, and Mary Villhauer and Dorothy Villhauer, both of Iowa City; and his aunt, Rose Lyons of Yankton, S.D.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie; daughter, Pamela; and great-grandson, Elijah Valet.

His family would like to thank all at Cedar Manor Care Center for their compassionate care of our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and brother-in-law, he simply loved you all! Bob would always greet you with a twinkle in his eyes, a smile on his face, and after that watch out!

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Bob's family and his services.

Published May 20, 2013 in The Gazette