Vernon, Robert Darlington

Robert Darlington Vernon, 93, of Okoboji, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Keelson Harbor Assisted Living Facility, Spirit Lake.

Bob was born Jan. 24, 1919, in Oil City, PA., the son of Norman D. and Katherine K. Vernon. He was the third of five children. He married the love of his life, Marian “Speck” Kennedy (deceased), on Sept. 18, 1945, in Estherville, Iowa.

After attending Johns Hopkins University, he headed to Iowa to learn about the food business from an uncle in Ottumwa. While living and working in Cedar Rapids, he attended events at the University of Iowa and met his true love, Marian Kennedy. Always an entrepreneur, he started the R.D. Vernon Co., a very successful food brokerage business in Iowa.

They went on to have seven children, 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly. In raising their children, Bob and Speck emphasized the importance of compassion, a strong work ethic and finding joy in life. The most important thing they taught their children, however, was about the importance of family. Every year around the Fourth of July, they hosted their children and later, grandchildren, at their house on Lake Okoboji.

Bob joined the Army on June 26, 1941. He served his country in World War II with the 757th Tank Battalion and fought in Europe, Italy and Northern Africa. Bob was a member of the Iowa National Guard for 23 years, after which he retired as a brigadier general.

While raising a family, Bob spent his free time working with the Boy Scouts of America, starting a Culligan soft water franchise in Cedar Rapids, and took an active role in Rotary. Even upon retirement and up until a few years ago, he was active in the Rotary and the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association.

Bob was an avid swimmer, golfer and tennis player while attending the University of Okoboji, where he was named Dean of Nocturnal Affairs. Swimming and fantasy football were his passions, both of which he continued until after he was 90. To his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bob passed on his sense of humor, passion for life, his strong character and his drive to make a difference in the world.

Bob is survived by his sister, Catherine Weidler from Cheektowaga, N.Y.; 17 grandchildren; and his seven children, John Vernon (Nancy) of West Des Moines, James Culligan Vernon (Patt) of Denver, Colo., Susan Vernon Brigman of Colleyville, Texas, Robert Darlington Vernon Jr. (Terri) of Coralville, William Shallcross Vernon (Monica) of Cedar Rapids, Samuel Hayden Vernon of Sheldon, Iowa, and Sarah Vernon Koines (Art) of Bethesda, Md.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 6, from 4 until 6 p.m. at Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to St. Alban's Episcopal Church or the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association.

Published Sept. 2, 2012 in The Gazette