Robert 'Bob' D. Essig

ROBERT "BOB" D. ESSIG

Cedar Rapids

Robert "Bob" D. Essig, 96,

of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at Cottage Grove Place Health Center. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral service: 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Bob was born Jan. 8, 1922, in Dowagiac, Mich., the son of Dr. F.H. and Bernice Essig. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1939, and the University of Michigan BSE (EE) in 1944. Bob proudly served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, stationed in Germany, from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. Bob married Norma A. Schreckengast in 1950.

Bob worked at Collins Radio Co. from 1947 to 1970 as a supervisor quality assurance engineer. After retiring from Collins Radio, he worked at Iowa Electric Light and Power Co. from 1971 to 1991 as a quality assurance engineer. He was supervising QA engineer in support of the construction and operation of the Duane Arnold Energy Center. In addition, Bob was appointed by the CEO of Iowa Electric to serve as the company's representative on the quality assurance committee of the Edison Electric Institute. Bob was a registered professional engineer in Iowa and California, and an IEEE Life Senior member. His hobby and greatest enjoyment was flying in his Cessna Skyhawk. He was a member of the Cloud Nine Flying Club as a shared owner and private pilot.

Bob was an active longtime member of Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church and, later, Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Norma, of Cedar Rapids; children, Nancy of Marion and Bob (Sarah) of Hiawatha; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He loved his family very much and will be greatly missed. Our prayer is that he is flying his airplane in heaven and taking long walks with the family dog, Buffy.

Please leave a message for the family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com, under obituaries.