Lane, Robert F.

Robert F. Lane, 79, of Cedar Rapids, left to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Services: 9 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial: Green Cemetery, Morley.

Bob was born Oct. 22, 1932, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of Frank and Muriel Bickerstaff Lane. Bob grew up in Blairstown, Iowa and graduated from McKinley High School, Cedar Rapids.

On Dec. 27, 1953, he married Mary Berry in Cedar Rapids. Mary had a long career working at St. Luke's Hospital in the flower shop and was loved by friends and all those who met her. She survives Bob and is proud of all her children and grandchildren. Bob is survived by his children, Greg Lane of Central City, Lori Willadsen of New Hampton, Lisa Lane of Cedar Rapids and Tim (Linda) Lane of Cedar Rapids, his grandchildren, Brandon, Susan, Robert, Matthew, Patricia, Jenny, Jason, Amanda and Andrea; and 11 great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

Bob was a man of many talents and served in the Army during the Korean conflict. He was trained as a medic and was offered OCS, but declined as both he and Mary wished to return to Iowa from Texas. Among many jobs Bob held during his long life were working at his parents' store, Jack Sprat Grocery, working in his Coast to Coast store, going to gun smithing school in Colorado, working a print shop for Wagner Printers, working as a gunsmith for the Cedar Rapids Police Department, and at the sporting goods store, Fin and Feather, all in Cedar Rapids. He could do everything from butcher meat to build a custom rifle or handgun from scratch. He built many guns for his children and grandchildren. His mechanical knowledge was legend.

Bob was and excellent sportsman (and trained his children to be the same). He was on the local pistol team, a member of Izaak Walton League and Otter Creek Sportsman Club for many years, and a formidable trap shot. So much so, that having heart surgery and being unable to shoulder a shotgun on his left side due to a defibrillator, he just switched to his right and still held a very high ranking. But more important than all this, he was one of the most decent human beings one could encounter and would help anyone who needed his expertise or assistance. All of those lucky enough to have known Bob will willingly attest to that.

Bob also enjoyed motor sports and building cars with his oldest son, Greg. They built a prizewinning 1932 Ford Pickup hot rod that was a real head-turner. His children found the old vehicle (Bob had previously owned) and presented it to him. Then they went to work. It stands today as one of his many lasting creations and those who have things he built will treasure.

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Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association in lieu of flowers.

Published Aug. 23, 2012 in The Gazette