Robert “Starkie” J. Gibney Stark

Robert “Starkie” J. Gibney Stark

Cedar Rapids

Robert “Starkie” J. Gibney Stark, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday, March 10, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids by the Rev. Dennis Miller. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Stark Settlement. Vigil held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m.

Bob is survived by his dog, Finn; nephews, Steve (Sandi) Gibney of Van Horne, Wayne (Carmen) Gibney of Atkins, Donald (Sandy) Gibney of Anamosa, Lynn Gibney of Indianapolis and David (Ann) Gibney of Elkader; niece, Linda Williams of Atlanta, Ga.; sister-in-law, Mary Alice Gibney of Norway; life-long friend, Lorrie (Jerry) Corrigan of Atkins; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Sara; his dogs, “the Boys” (Seagram, Fagan, Duggan); birth parents and adoptive parents; sister, Leota Louise (Jack) Getz; brothers, James (Germaine) Gibney, Ambrose Gibney; and niece, G.G. Getz.

Bob was born on Feb. 11, 1934, in Watkins, son of James and Florence Smith Gibney. Upon the sudden passing of his mother when he was an infant, he was adopted by George and Louise Schmidt Stark. He attended Atkins Consolidated School, graduated from Atkins High School in 1952, and attended Coe College. Bob also served in the Army, receiving an honorable discharge. On July 1, 1993, he married Sara Porter at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Bob was an expediter for Collins Radio from 1954 to 1969. He went on to successfully own and operate the Stadium Lounge, The Inn and currently since 1984, the Westside Lounge. He was a devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 170, Blairstown, Iowa and the Knights of Columbus.

In the 1950s and 1960s, he was very athletic and pitched baseball and played basketball for Atkins High School and several baseball town league teams in the Atkins, Vinton, Norway and Watkins area. Often when Bob was playing the town team leagues, he found himself playing against his Gibney cousins, Bill, Larry, Dean and Mike. He was also a player for the M&J (Manufacturers & Jobbers) in Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Valley League. According to Bob, he and his buddies, with the aid of a Coonrod truck, held the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Cedar Rapids. After a few blocks of merriment downtown, the Cedar Rapids Police Department ushered the merrymakers and truck back to the bar.

Bob enjoyed providing guidance to people who were less fortunate and socializing at the bar. If there was a little gambling on the side, he was even happier. Bob loved to make people happy and, likewise, he was loved by many people.

A special thanks to all of his many loyal customers who brought him happiness and laughter every day. As Starkie always said, “Keep the lamp lit!”

Memorials may be directed to the family for an established memorial fund.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.