Memorial
Robert L. (Bob) Dye, 76, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2013 from a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family. Visitation and Open House on Monday September 2nd from 2 to 5 pm at Noelridge Park Church, 1147 Clifton Street NE, Cedar Rapids. Celebration of Life Service on Tuesday, September 3rd at 2 pm at Faith Bible Church, 1800 46th Street NE, Cedar Rapids.Bob is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Coral, their four daughters Lori (John) Condon, Robin (Doug) Wall, Michelle (Steve) Goodall, and Becky (Darren) Parker, and seven grandchildren – Henry and Charlie Condon, Adam Wall, Brianna (Chris) Phillips, Shane, Zack, and Benjamin Goodall. Also surviving are sister Marge (Ray) McGinnis and brother Mel (Dorothy) Dye. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Nelson Dye, and a grandson Drew Wall. Bob was born on March 15, 1937 in Gowanda, a small town in rural western New York State. He was the third child of Ralph and Marian Scott Dye. Bob grew up on a dairy farm on Dye Road in South Dayton, NY. He learned to love hard work, sports, and his horse, Major Jet. He was a Cleveland Indians fan because the only radio station that reached the barn was one that broadcast Indians play-by-play baseball games. A devoted Christian, Bob graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, NY with a degree in Religion and Philosophy. Later he became an ordained minister. He worked his way through college on the night shift at Chili Plastics factory while also lettering in baseball and basketball.Bob met his future wife Coral Small at his brother Nelson’s wedding. Bob and Coral married in Silver Creek, NY on June 14, 1958 (Flag Day). Bob’s first job out of college was for Youth for Christ (YFC) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, an organization whose first employee was Billy Graham. His true lifelong mission was helping teenagers come to know Jesus Christ. He would go on to serve the Lord through his work with YFC for the next 48 years, until his retirement from that organization in 2007.In 1961, Coral and Bob moved to Port Huron, Michigan to head up the local YFC chapter. He led a “Teen Team” of college students on a YFC mission trip to Peru, the first of many trips overseas. He and Coral moved to Cedar Rapids in 1970 to be Executive Director of Eastern Iowa Youth for Christ. In 1972, Bob started the annual Campus Life Caravan, a 10-day Colorado camping trip for about 100 teenagers. He created and built the renowned “Chuck Wagon”, a pull-behind kitchen designed to serve Caravan meals and community pancake breakfasts. Bob shared his love for the outdoors with his four daughters through family camping trips all over the country using a pop-up tent camper pulled behind their station wagon. He enjoyed sports and playing tennis, basketball and skiing with his daughters. Bob and Coral never missed one of their daughters’ volleyball or basketball games.In 1987, he was promoted to YFC’s Northern States Regional Field Director and served a five-state region for 15 years, traveling thousands of miles. He looked forward to collaborating with YFC Directors and was a mentor to many young YFC staff in their shared passion for reaching kids for Christ.In 2004, Bob and Coral started “Breakfast Club” at Kennedy High School to provide thought-provoking discussion over breakfast. On Thursday afternoons Bob visited during all four lunch periods at the Kennedy cafeteria and made it a point to sit next to someone new every week. He loved connecting with everyone he met and would ask, “How are you doing today?” or “Where are you from?” and was genuinely interested in listening and learning their story.Bob served in the National Guard for six years and he was a member of Kiwanis International Club for over 40 years. He was a member and Deacon/Elder of Noelridge Park Church since 1970. Bob and Coral hosted 22 foreign-exchange students from Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia and enjoyed the sharing of cultures. Bob Dye loved God and loved people and his life was all about giving to others. To honor this steadfast spirit of giving, Bob’s earthly body was donated to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine for education and research.Please share your memories of Bob with the family at www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobdyeIn lieu of flowers, a Bob Dye memorial fund has been established at Collins Community Credit Union.