Robert G. Humphrey

Robert “Bob” G. Humphrey, Sr., 97, of Clear Lake, died, Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at the Good Shepherd Care Center, Mason City.

Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m., at the Clear Lake Christian Church, 302 Highway 18 West, Clear Lake.  Pastor Drew Rietjens will be officiating.  The family will greet friends at the church on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.Full military honors will be provided by the Clear Lake Honor Guard.  Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials may be given in Bob’s name to the family, or the donor’s choice.

    Robert Gene Humphrey the son of Paul James and Verna Lucille (Brown) Humphrey was born May 27, 1923 at his parents home in Fertile, Iowa. Bob grew up in the Fertile area where he attended and graduated from Fertile High School.  He continued his education at Hamilton Business College in Mason City, where his focus was in the Bookkeeping/Accounting program.

Robert faithfully and proudly served his country in the United State Army during World War II.  His tenure in the service commenced on Feb. 21, 1943 and he was Honorably Discharged in October of 1945 as  a Corporal.  He served in the European Theatre, including battles in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland.   He fulfilled the role of Surgical Tech for part of his duties.  He was awarded various commendations including five Bronze Stars for each of the campaigns he was a part of, the Good Conduct Medal, and in later years of life received a Liberty Recognition Medal for being a Normandy Invasion Veteran June 6, 1944-1997.  Bob had also taken one of the Honor Flight Trips to visit Washington, DC in the later years of his life.

     Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Karen McEldoon, who he had met at a local bowling venue during leagues, on Sept. 22, 1963, at  Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, by Pastor Richard Ellingson.  The couples union was blessed with a daughter, Kristine “”Kris” and son Robert “Bob” Jr.

     Bob and Karen shared a mutual passion and love for bowling and had been active for much of their lives in this past time.  Bob had received numerous awards and trophies for his bowling successes throughout his life.  He also loved to play golf and the camaraderie and friendships that he was with friends on the links.  Bob appreciated the simple things in life and enjoyed times spent with Karen, Kris and Bob, Jr., as well as other friends and relatives. The family had done some traveling and he and Karen had also taken a cruise to visit each of the Hawaiian Islands. He looked forward to times with granddaughter, Tessa, and her children, Chloe and Benjamin. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and had watched countless games cheering them on.  

Bob and Karen’s life was impacted and left with a hollow void when their daughter, Kris, and granddaughter, Brooke, lost their life in an accident in 1992.

     Bob was active in the Clear Lake Christian Church, serving as church treasurer for 10-12 years and he and Karen were greeters there for many years.

     Bob was employed as a bookkeeper/accountant at Gibbs-Cook, Mason City, from 1958-until he retired in 1985.

     His memory will continue in the hearts and minds of his wife of 57 years, Karen Humphrey, Clear Lake; son, Robert “Bob”, Jr., Mason City; a sister, Cleo McKin, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; granddaughter, Tessa Bates, and her children, Chloe and Benjamin Gleason, Mason City; numerous nieces and nephews and relatives on Karen’s side.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kris; and granddaughter, Brooke; his in-laws; and three brothers, Leighton, Wayne and Earl.  Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, was in charge of arrangements.