Bloomberg, Robert Louis

Robert Louis Bloomberg, 74 of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Mediapolis, died Monday, June 24, 2013, of natural causes. It was Robert's wish that his body be donated to the University of Iowa for anatomical research. A memorial service will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mediapolis, at 11 a.m. July 18.

Robert was the son of Louis Glenn and Beulah Leola Johnson Bloomberg. He was born on March 14, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1957. He later graduated from the School of Art in Chicago that included a degree from the University of Chicago. He entered the U.S. Army after college and spent most of the tour in Germany with the Army Security Agency. Following the service, he graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts with a Masters of Social Work. After a short stay working at Jewish Children's Home in New York City, he moved back to Iowa and worked as a social worker at the State Hospital in Mount Pleasant. Within a year Robert was hired as a social worker and the director of art therapy at Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids and remained there 32 years until his retirement.

He was a talented artist and painter throughout his life. His work was displayed in a number of exhibits over the years. Robert was a past member of the NISW, the American Art Therapy Association, the UNI Athletic Club and the Midwest Riverboat S & D. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mediapolis.

Robert is survived by his sister, Mary Lou White and her husband, Benton of San Jose, Calif.; and two nephews, Tom and Matt White and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Tanager Place, Expressive Arts Program or Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mediapolis.

Published in The Gazette June 28, 2013.