Holliday, Robert L.

Robert L. Holliday, 84, passed away Oct. 9, 2012, after a brief, valiant struggle with mesothelioma.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris; his brother, Paul Holliday of Des Moines; and two sisters, Lois Kray of Vinton and Ruth Anne Denker of Cedar Rapids.

Together Bob and Doris had five children. Bob was preceded in death by their third child, Sara. They have been blessed with 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Born in Taber, Iowa, Bob moved from Washta to Shellsburg when his father became superintendent of schools there. He graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1946 and attended Iowa State College on an NROTC scholarship. Bob graduated with the rank of Ensign and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He enjoyed a long career with General Electric Co. before retiring in 1989 to Midlothian, Va., where he and Doris became active members of Woodlake United Methodist Church. In his retirement years, he and Doris traveled the United States, Canada and Mexico in their motor home and were active in several RV associations.

He was an avid golfer and proud to have shot his age on several occasions.

Bob will be remembered for his love of family, for his strong convictions, his loyalty and his sense of humor with rich stories of life he loved to share. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Bob's life on June 29, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Parker's Grove Church near Shellsburg.

Published June 23, 2013, in The Gazette