Robert A Stein Sr.

Robert A Stein Sr.

Iowa City

Robert A Stein Sr., 92 years old, passed away on December 11, 2025, after a brief illness at The University of Iowa Hospital.

Born August 5, 1933, in Duluth, Minnesota, to A. A. Stein and Grace Stein (Wichterman), Bob was one of four children including two sisters and one brother. In 1952 Bob began his college education at the University of Iowa where he received the first of his three degrees, two of which were masters. At the University of Iowa, Bob swam collegiately on the men’s swim team all four years, specializing in the butterfly. On his 20th birthday, Bob became the first recorded person to swim across Lake Superior, lathering his skin in bear grease to help contain his body heat while swimming through the frigid waters. While studying at the U of I in a New Testament class, Bob quickly noticed Betty, a beautiful, petite, auburn hair girl that struck his eye. Soon after, they started dating. Bob and Betty Lou Pavlik were married in 1955. In this union they had three boys, Robert Jr., David and Steven.

Bob was a hardworking man, having several careers in his lifetime. Bob valiantly served in the United States Air Force for 21 years achieving rank of full “Bird” Colonel. Some of his assignments included Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, France and holding positions all over the United States. Because of this, Bob moved his young family countless times. Bob would proudly tell anyone willing to listen that he had over 3,400 flying hours at the end of his military flying career.

In 1975, the Stein family moved back to Iowa City where Bob headed the ROTC program at the University of Iowa. It was there the family laid down their roots and called Iowa City “home.” In 1977, after his military retirement, Bob was appointed Director of Safety and Security at the U of I Hospitals and Clinics. After retirement from his role there in 1985, he decided to pursue his passion for writing. He attended the Writer’s Workshop and graduated with another degree from the University of Iowa. He was a published author of 4 novels with dreams of them someday being turned into screenplays.

Bob was an Iowa Hawkeye fanatic. For decades Bob attended Iowa football, basketball and swimming events. This was a favorite past time for him and Betty. The games he couldn’t attend, he happily watched on the television, on mute and gave anyone who watched with him a play-by-play of the game in its entirety. For over 20 years Bob was “The Voice” as the announcer for the Iowa Swim Team. He graciously flew many U of I coaches including Hayden Fry, Lute Olsen and Glen Patton to recruiting trips, media events and conferences,

It is challenging to summarize all of Bob’s 92 years’ worth of accomplishments, as there were so many. Bob came from very little. He was inspired to work hard, get an education, become successful and provide well for his family. It is with great certainty, because of this, his children and grandchildren saw what working diligently can bring to their own lives.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Betty; sons, Dr. Robert Stein, Jr., Dr. David (Kristin) Stein, Steven (Haimei) Stein; as well as 8 grandchildren, Laurel Marsh, Erik Stein, Dr. Alec Stein, Dr. Shelby (Cody) Sheeran, Dane Stein, Anna Stein, Braydon Taylor and Brooklynn Taylor; as well as 7 great-grandchildren, a sister Ruth, sister-in-law Lynn (Walt) Craft and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was predeceased by both parents, a brother Bill and a sister Marilyn; and several beloved dogs.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be directed to the University of Iowa’s Women’s Swimming Program; a program near and dear to Bob and Betty Stein.

Memorial services will be held at 3 pm Friday, January 16, 2025, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where there will be a time of visitation from 1 to 3 pm. For those attending the funeral, please dress casually as this is what Bob would have preferred.