Robert Abild

Robert John Abild, 86, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at his home after a short battle with cancer.

Robert John Abild was born May 4, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Russell and Goldie (McClain) Abild. Robert graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines and then Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the Army Engineers as a lieutenant building bridges in Germany for two years. Upon discharge, Robert went to work for Abild Construction in Des Moines, Iowa, in the family business. He moved to Atlantic as the new Cass County Engineer in 1961. In 1963 he left the county position and started his own business, Abild Engineering. In 1970, he started a Butler franchise under Abild Inc. In 1974, he added Atlantic Steel Erectors to the group of businesses. He was involved in building hundreds of commercial buildings and churches in Chicago and Minneapolis; water towers; the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, IA; buildings in Tangier Malls in Iowa and Arizona; Yellow Freight truck terminal in California; and the Griswold golf course to name a few.

Robert Abild of Atlantic, Iowa, and Mary Hatchett of Kansas City, Missouri, were married July 8, 1976. They resided in Atlantic where they raised seven of their combined ten children. Robert was active in the First Assembly of God Church of Atlantic since 1975. He was a past member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and Gideons. He mentored many people over the years giving them his time, money and guidance.

Bob loved his family and traveling the United States. He took hundreds of pictures everywhere he visited.

Surviving Bob is his wife, Mary of Atlantic, IA; children, Greg (Kathy) Abild of Van Meter, IA, Rusty (Jan) Winship of Des Moines, IA, Barbara (Dan) Gold of Carroll, IA, Cindy (Robert) Ulveling of Atlantic, IA, John (Diane) Abild of Atlantic, IA, Robin (Ervin) Suko of Atlantic, IA, Ronda (Tim) Wilkinson of Red Oak, IA, and Janet Christensen of Red Oak, IA; grandchildren, Eric Abild, Zach Abild, Kersten Abild, Michael Bringmann, Sheena Parks, Brendon Gold, Chris Gold, Jennifer Moberg, Jeremy Schlake, Justin Schlake, Jacob Schlake, Shannon Siedlik, Brandi Maine, Mikala Smith, Vanessa Hoover, Austin Arndt, Aubrey Schuler, Tyler Mills, Cody Mills, Austin Mills, Blake Wilkinson, Shania Wilkinson, Beau Wilkinson, Sean Wilkinson, Alexandra Garrett, Megan Abild and Conner Christensen; 47 great-grandchildren; sister, Opal Snow of Jay, OK; niece, Ladell (Dave) Lyburger of Des Moines, IA; and nephew, Kim Abild of Des Moines, IA.

Preceding Bob in death were his parents, Russell and Goldie Abild; daughters, Rebecca Jo Burt and Donna Norton; brother, Cliff Abild; and a sister, Lillian Abild.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the First Assembly of God in Atlantic, Iowa.

A private family burial will take place in the Atlantic Cemetery.

There will be no visitation prior to the service.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.