Zach, Robert

Robert Zach, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Aug., 13 2011, following a short illness. Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Teahen Funeral Home. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again after noon Wednesday at the funeral home.

Robert is survived by two sons, Dean (Susan) of Central City and Doug (Jean) of Cedar Rapids; three daughters, Susan (Kyle) Elsom of Moline, Ill., Charlene (Brian) Joens of Des Moines and Sandra (Victor) Brown of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, Lindsay, Heather, Michael, Emily, Marie (Chris), Peter, David, Amber (Mark), Cole (Sally), Libby (Peter) and Callie; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Roman (Peg) Zach; and two sisters, Betty Merta and Elaine Sedlacek.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine, who died May 9, 2011; and their son, David, who died in 1993.

Robert was born Oct. 4, 1925, in Swisher, the son of George and Marie (Detert) Zach. He graduated from Shueyville High School in 1943 and married Geraldine Pospisil on Sept. 12, 1950, in Cedar Rapids.

Bob worked at Square D Co. for 32 years, retiring in 1995. Bob was a veteran of the Army serving with the 887th Field Artillery Battalion as a mechanic from 1950-1952 and was stationed in Germany during the occupation. He often told stories about the time he spent in Europe during his deployment.

Bob loved music. Sunday mornings you would usually find him listening to the Sunday Morning Czech Party on the radio. He had a vast collection of country and Czech music and enjoyed playing them for family and friends.

Never one to be idle, Bob enjoyed many hobbies and interests. For many years, gardening, harvesting, canning and freezing was business as usual. Bob was a master at woodworking and used his skills to produce beautiful, lasting gifts for his children and grandchildren. He was an avid fisherman who, along with his wife, Geraldine, loved to spend time fishing and camping. He was especially happy when sharing his love of fishing with his grandkids and watching their excitement as they caught their first fish. Bob also enjoyed mushroom hunting, berry gathering and nut picking, making candies and cookies during the holidays, maintaining his Czech language skills, World War II history, visiting with friends on the computer and exploring the Internet. Bob was a gifted story teller and loved to share colorful stories of growing up on the farm and the antics of his youth.

Bob will be remembered for his playful sense of humor and being a tease. He also will be remembered as a kind, wise and loving father and Deda.

Memorials may be directed to the family or Camp Courageous of Iowa.

Online condolences may be left for the family at