Robert Miller

Robert Dale Miller was born March 2, 1935, the son of Thomas O. and Meta K. (Christensen) Miller in Anita, Iowa, and passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

He spent his childhood in Anita and graduated from the Anita High School in 1953 and worked for Cameron Body Shop. In October of 1954 he married Mardell Fries at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. He joined the Marines in 1954 with his brother Gael. During his time in the service, Bob was stationed in Puerto Rico and Japan. After discharge from the Marines in 1957, Bob worked for Hutchins Construction and attended the Iowa Barber College in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bob and Mardell raised their four children in Anita. From 1960 to 1981 he owned and operated "Barbering by Bob" in Anita. For the next 20 years he lived in Des Moines, and worked for Security Services and as a barber at the Iowa Veterans Hospital. After his retirement, Bob returned to Anita and worked for 4 years as a maintenance supervisor at the I-80 rest areas near Adair. He was then employed at Wal-Mart in Atlantic until his failing health would no longer allow him to continue working.

He attended the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Simpson United Methodist Church in Des Moines, and the Congregational Church in Anita.

While living in Anita, Bob was a member of the Anita Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Centennial Committee, and was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader. During his service to the Anita Volunteer Fire Department, Bob was one of the original trained First Aide Providers and was heavily involved with the start of the EMT Program.

His children fondly remember the artificial rubber ear floating in the jar at the barber shop and getting a half stick of Doublemint gum from their dad. They would go on fishing trips and use a key from Dad's pocket for a weight when they needed one. Yearly trips to Colorado over Labor Day weekend were a ritual with Bobbie and Kimi taking turns navigating as Mom and Dad drove through the night, arriving home just in time to wash up to make it to school on time. Bob would have a pot of chili cooking on Friday afternoons waiting for the kids to return home from school events. He took great pride in his military service and the freedom that his, and other Veterans, provided.

Bob and his 20 year companion, Marilyn Bates, enjoyed spending time with their families, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were very involved in the grandchildrens' lives, treasuring the time they spent watching them in school and sports activities. They took trips to the Southwest, the New England states, Branson, Missouri, and they also went on cruises. Bob enjoyed reading Louis L'Amour western books, adding to his collection of over 300 caps from all over the world, and volunteering at the Anita Meal site delivering meals.

He is survived by his children, Bob A. Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kim K. Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Shelli S. Hogueison of Anita, Iowa, and Corey T. Miller and his wife, Melanie McCulley of Albany, New York; his grandchildren, Jamie Jensen and fiancé Nic Iedema of Ashton, Iowa, Scott Marnin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Callie Tjaden and husband, Jason of Clarence, Iowa, Gabe Hogueison and fiancé , Lindsay Bounds of Anita, Iowa, and Claire McCulley of Albany, New York; his great-grandchildren, Mitchell Jensen, Bayleigh Jensen, Hunter Jensen, Leighton Tjaden and Gunnar Hogueison; his step-children, Kathy Roberts, Jerry (Julie) Bates and Ray Bates; his step-grandchildren, Shelby Short, Logan Short and Chad Bates; his brother, Gael Miller and his wife, Jan of Georgetown, Texas; his sister, (The Tag-along) Karen Kitelinger and her husband, Royce of Elk Horn, Iowa; his aunt, Francis Christensen; his nieces, Kirsten and Karla; his nephews, Kirby and Kyle; and his friend, Rosa Lee Pollock; and many other relatives and friends.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Meta Miller; his long time companion, Marilyn Bates; his grandson, Mike Jensen; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008, in the Chapel at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa. Visitation is two hours prior to the service, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. also at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita. The family invites friends to join them for lunch and memories at the American Legion Hall in Anita following the memorial service.

Memorials may be sent to the Anita Volunteer Fire Department. Bob was an organ donor and his family requests that you consider organ donation as a memorial to Bob.