Robert “Bob” May

Robert “Bob” May

Marion

Robert “Bob” May, 94, of Marion, Iowa, passed away Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025, at his home from complications of kidney disease. Bob was born February 13, 1931, in Pittsfield, Illinois.

His family relocated to Martelle, Iowa when Bob was a small child. Bob graduated in 1949 from Martelle High School, boasting a class of ten. He maintained a life-long relationship with his three best school friends, attending school reunions up until last year.

Bob worked at Iowa Steel, Rath Packing and Wilson Foods before starting his career at the Anamosa State Reformatory. Bob often jokingly told people he did 35 years, 3 months and 22 days in the reformatory before he was released. You can honestly say he was admired by coworkers and prisoners alike, often bringing several of the honor status inmates into their home during family holiday gatherings. He was Employee of the Year in 1991 and was promoted from Corrections Officer to Assistant Director of Admissions before his retirement in 1996. While working at the reformatory, Bob also graduated from Kirkwood Community College (1975) and earned a BA at Mount Mercy College in 1978, specializing in Criminal Justice. In his free time, he loved baseball – especially the Cubbies, fishing and anything to do with the grandkids’ activities. He didn’t miss a ball game, recital, birthday, or graduation. He bought knee pads to crawl through the tunnels with the littles at the Play Station. If you were looking for Bob at a gathering, find the kids and you’ll find him!

Bob married Connie (Koffron) in 1959. They shared four sons, George, Eric, Brian and Carmichael. Connie became a hospice chaplain and in addition to those demands she spent many of her free hours at the reformatory helping inmates navigate their journey in life. Together, Bob and Connie led unselfish lives, giving of themselves and sharing all they had.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Connie; his parents, Floyd and Vivian May and two brothers, Charles and Ron. Bob is survived by four sons, George (Barb) May of Marion, Eric (Brenda) May of Cedar Rapids, Brian (Sarah) May of North Liberty and Carmichael Peters of California. Bob has 12 grandchildren, Rachel, Bekah (Ryan), Hannah (Dan), Leah, Avalon, Bethany, Jameelah, Jessica (Josh), Benjamin (Chelsey), Michael (Rylee), Zach (Emma) and William (Kelsey); and 10 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jacob, Lydia, Madelyn, Brianna and Alexis, Jaydin, Josie, Beau and Hudson. Bob is also survived by his favorite sister, Rose Marie Millis, Cedar Rapids.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sun Room, Lowe Park at 4500 10th Street, Marion, June 5 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. A light dinner buffet will be available. We’ll have “share time” from 6:00 – 7:00 PM … think about a memory or story you just have to share.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be shared with the family at goettschonline.com. In lieu of flowers and in order to continue their lifetime commitment to helping people, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders, Cedar Valley Hospice or a Hospice Association in or around Cedar Rapids.

Number One, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by integrity, compassion and unwavering love for his family. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of all whose lives were touched by him.