Robert 'Bob' Lee Geuder

ROBERT "BOB" LEE GEUDER

Cedar Rapids

Robert "Bob" Lee Geuder, 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021, surrounded with love by his daughters at West Ridge Care Center. Bob was born in Guttenberg, Iowa, on May 9, 1932, to George an Roma Geuder. He attended the Guttenberg public schools

and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English and speech from Iowa State Teachers College and a Master's degree from University of Denver. While attending college, Bob was a member of Alpha Chi Epsilon fraternity, Theta Alpha Phi national honorary dramatics fraternity and Kappa Delta Pi national honorary educational fraternity.

Bob and Alo Behnken were married on Aug. 23, 1953. Bob went for Army basic training at Fort Leonardwood and later was stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayettville, N.C. He and Alo lived there until Bob was sent to Germany to serve in peace time and Alo returned to Guttenburg, Iowa. When Bob returned to the United States in 1955, they settled in Nashua, Iowa, where Bob taught and was director of theater for four years. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1959, where Bob taught and was the director of theater at Jefferson High School for 36 years. Bob was co-founder of Jefferson's show choir, West Side Delegation in 1968. He also enjoyed volunteering at Brucemore, teaching English at Catherine McCauley Center, was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church for 61 years, taught at Coe College, directed plays for Theatre Cedar Rapids, Jaycees, St. Luke's Auxiliary and Oster Regent Theater of Cedar Falls, and wrote and directed "The Follies" for 29 years.

Bob's service, recognitions and awards include: International Thespian Society for Distinguished Service, 1974-1980 Board of Directors, 1976-1977 assistant international director and 1978-1980 international director; 1977 Meritorious Achievement Award from Iowa Communication Association of UNI; 1986-1994 Educational Theatre Association (ETA) Board of Trustees;1988 International Thespian Society President's Award; 1991 ETA Hall of Fame; 1995 Iowa Thespian Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee; 2001 Jefferson Hall of Fame; and 2020 Bob and Alo Jefferson Thespian Troupe 561 Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductees.

Bob is survived by his two daughters, Susan (Randy) Clapp and Sheryl (Jim) Payton; four grandchildren, Coby Clapp, Chad (Abby) Clapp, Jamie (Joe) Vircks and Jess Payton; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alo, on Dec. 22, 2020, and his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where friends may visit with the family from 9 a.m. until service time. Pastor Phil Jorgensen will officiate. The service will include a celebration of Alo's life. Due to the potential for high attendance masks and social distancing are encouraged.

The family would like to thank the staff at West Ridge Care Center and Mercy Hospice for their compassionate care these past months. We are thankful so many of Bob's family, friends, colleagues and former students were able to visit him and share their love.

Memorials may be made to the Robert Geuder Thespian Scholarship at the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation (www.crcsf.com), Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Brucemore.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.