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West, Robert Dale
Robert Dale West, 56, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Services: 1 p.m. Thursday, Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Beverly Thompson-Travis. Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Shawn; two sons, Joshua A. West and Cody A. West; mother and stepfather, Ruby (Charles) Keithley; brothers, James E. (Jane) West and David M. West; sisters, Leona P. (Jim) Meyer and Marla J. (Keith) Stanley, mother-in-law, Ruth McClure Bennett; brothers-in-law, Ron M. Bennett Jr., Mark R. Bennett, Dale P. Bennett and Jeffery E. (Stacey) Bennett; sister-in-law, Kelley R. McNeese; his dogs, Buddy and Tripper; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, John E. West; brother, John T. West; and a sister, C. Kay Otterbeck.
Bob was born August 7, 1953, in Quincy, Ill., the son of John E. and Ruby West. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1976, and was proud of his service in Vietnam. While stationed in Hawaii, he met his loving wife, Shawn. They were married on March 5, 1976. His mother-in-law would always tell people how Shawn went all the way to Hawaii to meet someone from Cedar Rapids to marry.
He was employed by the State of Iowa for the last 29 years, first in the Department for Transportation and then as a Weights and Measures Inspector for the Iowa Department of Agriculture. He was a man who took great pride in his work.
Bob was also a master craftsman and enjoyed all types of projects including the “Taj Mahal” doghouse for Dale's German shepherds after the flood. He was an excellent chef and he loved watching cooking shows and trying out new recipes. He will long be remembered for his famous lasagna, salads and cabbage rolls, and the way he made them special.
Family was everything to him, especially his sons. Bob was a great man who could talk to anybody about anything. He was greatly beloved and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Bob at
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