Robert L. Nye, 90, of Keokuk, died at 9:51 AM Wednesday,
October 17, 2018 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Bob was born January 20, 1928 to John Louis and Thelma Alice
(Miller) Nye at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa. On March 21, 1946, he married
Evelyn Bernice Mann at the Keokuk Gospel Center. She preceded him in death on
November 28, 2016.
He was a lifelong resident of Keokuk. He served in the United
States Army during the Korean War.
Bob attended Bel Air Baptist Church. He was
first employed by Schneider’s Monument Works for 23 years. He worked at White
House Dairy and then Peter’s Dairy delivering milk to homes and to stores. He
then went to work for Hubingers and during his 41 years there saw it change
from Hubingers to Heinz and then Roquette America. He also worked for three
railroads for 10 years, reclaiming grain doors. In addition, he worked for
Jewitt Fulton, and for many others where he could be of use.
Bob was known for his ‘can do’ attitude and ‘get ‘er done’
work ethic. He had the rare ability to make any menial task seem fun. Working
with him was always educational and entertaining. He had many oft used one
liners, such as: “no hill for a stepper”, “when the going gets tough, the tough
get going”, “just like eating lettuce”, “finer than frog hair”, and he had a
way of using them to bring everyone around to a better attitude. His
cheerfulness was contagious.
He delighted in helping people and sharing the bounty of his
garden. He loved the Lord. And he loved
his family. To them, he was “Superman”. He was the first call whenever help was
needed and he always came through. Whatever the need, he was there. His family
adored him and believed he was able to do anything. He was a loving Grampy,
doting on his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was a resourceful man,
generous with his time, talents, and treasure. He was a great encourager,
always ready to share a story or sing a song. He used silly stories and songs
to lift the downhearted, or simply entertain those around him.
His life was a beautiful demonstration
of Godly love, unconditional, unearned. He was proud and supportive of his children and grands;
always ‘in their corner’. He was a lovingly gentle disciplinarian, when
necessary, and led by example. A life well lived.
Bob is survived by four children:
Bobbie (Lem) Blankenship; Susan (Dennis) Schulte both of Keokuk; Gariann (Kirk)
Mickelson of Argyle, IA and Lynn (Karen) Nye of Danville, IA; nine
grandchildren: Troy (Tarris)
Blankenship; Travis (Gail) Schulte; Tyler (Kathy) Schulte; Valerie (Ryan)
Morford; Kyle (Alanna) Mickelson; Joe (Joy) Nye; Jacob (Melissa) Nye; Jerad
(Annie) Nye and Krista (Weston) Carter; twenty-one great grandchildren: Nicole,
Troy Lem, Amya, and Natalie Blankenship; Jacob, Zach and Wyatt Schulte; Ashley
(Christian) Hallock; Amy (Keith) Carothers; Aaron Wheatley; Kayla Morford;
Evelyn and Kenzie Mickelson; Malachi and Drew Nye; Emma and Isabelle Nye;
Cooper Nye, Caden and Chloe; and Kimber and soon to arrive Baby Boy Carter;
five great great grandchildren: Kaileigh, Kyra and Kade Carothers; Beckton and
Eisley Hallock; two sisters: Oneneta DePron of Rock Island, Illinois, Judy
Wihlfehrt of Alaska; four foreign exchange grandchildren: Sylia of Finland;
Juan of Spain; Viktor of Ukraine; Ruben of Honduras; special friends whom he
considered family: caregiver Betty McFarland, Karen Hempen, and Steve Freel; one
aunt, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, his wife Evelyn, a brother Jack and twin sisters Myrtle and Martha,
and daughter-in-law, Teri.
A celebration of his life will be
held at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 917 Blondeau Street at
11:00 AM Monday, October 22, 2018, with pastor Mike Shea officiating.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 21 from 5-7 PM at DeJong-Greaves
Celebration of Life Center, 917 Blondeau Street.
Memorials may be made to Bel Air
Baptist Church or Forest Springs Camp in Westboro, Wisconsin.
