Krall, Robert James

Robert James Krall, 82, of Tipton, died Thursday morning, Nov. 26, 2009, at Simpson Memorial Care Center in West Liberty. Visitation will be held at Fry Funeral Home from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, A Mass celebration of his life will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with Father Hitch officiating.

Robert was born June 5, 1927, in Iowa City, to Otto and Helen Linder Krall. He graduated from Iowa City High School in 1946. “Bob” entered the Navy after high school and was stationed on the U.S.S. Astoria. After the Navy, he attended the University of Iowa and completed his bachelor's degree in 1952. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church and member of the Knights of Columbus in Tipton.

Bob was united in marriage to Beunita “Beunie” Gilbert on June 22, 1951. They moved to Riceville, then Corning, where he taught and coached at each school. After moving to Adel, Bob changed careers and became a salesman for Wilson Sporting Goods and later became part owner of Burlington Sporting Goods. He retired at age 62 after many years on the road calling on high school, university and college athletic departments throughout Eastern Iowa.

An accomplished athlete, Bob enjoyed all aspects of the sporting world. He played on the City High 1945 football and 1946 basketball state championship teams and started at halfback for the Naval Training Center. He lettered as a Hawkeye for the freshman football team while at Iowa.

His football coaching career included a 16 game winning streak at Corning, and his team stayed in touch with “Coach” until his final days. Bob was also a well known wrestling referee, becoming a member of the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame after working over 17,000 matches and 18 State meets. He also was a “starter” at local, conference and state track meets for 24 years.

An avid golfer and outdoorsman, Bob enjoyed four “hole-in-ones” during his playing years, and spent nearly every day enjoying hunting or fishing later in life.

He is survived by his wife, Beunie Krall, of Tipton; daughter, Cheryl (Brad McQuillen) of Shawnee, Kan., grandchildren, Kasey Krall of Norfolk, Va., Meghan (Jamison) Herdrich and great-granddaughter Madelynn of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Joseph McQuillen of Shawnee Kan.; and brother, Albert Krall of Denver, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, James Gilbert Krall.

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Iowa City.