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Robert Taylor
ROBERT "BOB" TAYLOR
Shueyville
Robert Harmon Taylor died peacefully Jan. 13, 2016, at his home near Shueyville, Iowa.
Born July 9, 1922, in Cedar Rapids, Bob received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chicago in 1944. He served in the Army Air Corps as a meteorologist in the China Burma India Theater during World War II, reaching the rank of first lieutenant.
Following release from service, he studied actuarial science at the University of Iowa, receiving his master's degree in 1952. In 1946, he joined the consulting actuarial firm of Taylor and Taylor, where he practiced until retiring in 1988. He established Network Data Processing Corp. in 1956 and served as chairman until 1998.
Following his retirement, Bob maintained a keen interest in University of Iowa studies and endowed many awards, including those directed at actuarial science achievements and, with his daughter, Susan, the Taylor Chehak Award for Excellence at the Iowa Writers' Workshop.
He was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed attending Iowa football games with friends and extended family, up to and including this past season.
Bob also cared deeply about the Cedar Rapids community and was one of the founders of Footlighters, precursor to Theatre Cedar Rapids.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Bates Taylor; father, Harmon Robert Taylor; and brothers, Samuel Lord Taylor and Allen Marcus Taylor.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Susan Stamy Taylor; daughters, Christopher Bussell (Bill), Deborah Chehak (John), Susan Chehak (Tom) and Meredith Du Bon (Ulises); son, Robin Taylor (Richard DiBella); sisters, Marian Antin and Nancy Gallagher (Richard); as well as seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He wished to be remembered as a thinker, and so he is.
Private graveside services were held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244 (givetoiowa.org) or First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids, 310 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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