Robert Tighe

Robert Tighe

Monticello

Robert Tighe, 86, died peacefully at his home on Monday October 14, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 Tuesday morning, October 22, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello Father Paul Baldwin will officiate. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 Monday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello where a parish Vigil Service will be held at 4:00. Visitation will continue on Tuesday morning from 10:00 until service time at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Austin Strong Pediatric Cancer Foundation. You may sign the guestbook or leave a condolence at Goettschonline.com

Surviving are 3 children, Robert (Randi), William (Katie) and Jacqueline Tighe (Brad Lester) his AFS son, Pascal “Frenchie” Magneron, his special friend, Nancy Paulsen, 7 grandchildren, Liam, Margaret, Caitlyn, Talia (Dan Heyer) Breeyn, Madison (Jordan) Mescher, Krysten, 2 great-grandchildren, Chase and Elizabeth Mescher, and one on the way, a brother, Dick (Wyn Ann) Tighe, and in-laws, Collen Tighe, Carol (Jimmy) Livermore, Dan (Mona) O’Neill, and Sherlock (Sue) O’Neill.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Elizbeth Annette O’Neill, his parents, Paul and Julia Tighe, stepmother, Florence Renz Tighe, brothers, John (Jean), Louis (Helen) and Paul, Mark, sisters, Mary (Felix) Dorcey, Patricia (Joe) Dorcey, Ramona (Lee) Kovensky.

Robert Francis Tighe was born October 21, 1937, at Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Paul and Julia Todd, Tighe. His mother died when he was twelve, and father married his caring stepmother, Florence. He graduated from the Homer Nebraska Schools and continued his education at Wayne State College. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Education. Bob married Elizabeth O’Neill on November 26, 1959 in South Sioux City, Nebraska. He was the head football coach at Arcadia and Emerson Nebraska, LeMars Gehlen High School then Eagle Grove, Iowa. In 1972 he started his career with State Farm Insurance, and moved to West Branch Iowa, and then on to Monticello in 1990. He retired from State Farm in 2003. In 2004 he became a driver for the Jets Bus in Jone County retiring just 2 weeks before his death after 20 years on the job.

Bob was an avid Hawkeye fan and was a season ticket holder for 45 years attending games at home and away. He was a great socializer with his beloved friends and neighbors. He enjoyed reading non-fiction books, watching birds at his feeder, Rotary Club, supporting community projects, biking his pup, Frieda, to the dog park, a good fire and Black Russians. And finally, he was an unapologetically bragger about his adored grandchildren.