Memorial
Robert Peter Madson (“Pete”) passed away on March 22nd at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. His devoted wife of almost 60 years, Jeanette was by his side.
Bob was born March 7th, 1931 in South Dakota, the 3rd child of Joseph and Genevieve (Walrath) Madson. The family eventually grew to six children. There were lean years on the farm following the depression but they had fun. Since both parents were educators learning was a top priority.
His parents died when he was 16 and Bob was thrust into adulthood. He worked and studied hard and earned scholarships to the University of Iowa where he studied to become a city planner. He would go west in the summers for work, two summers in Montana and Idaho as a fire watcher and fire fighter and one summer in Nebraska and Kansas building grain bins. While attending the University of Iowa he met the love of his life, Jeanette Mae Fox and they were married at Danforth Chapel on campus. It was while at the University of Iowa that he developed what many would acknowledge as his second lifelong love, all things Hawkeye.
Bob worked for over 30 years as the Assistant Director of Planning and Redevelopment for the City of Cedar Rapids.
Bob and Jeanette enjoyed many activities including church, gardening and very extensive travel but their greatest joy was their relationships with everyone who came into their lives. Bob was a caring brother, a devoted uncle, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather, a thoughtful and fair boss whose door was always open, a steadfast friend, and especially a patient and loving husband to Jeanette.
Bob was generous and was always ready with a smile and a humorous quip, a hug, words of wisdom and encouragement and a listening ear. He was very witty and always quick with a joke and everyone who knew him appreciated his dry wit.
Bob’s love of books was the stuff of legends. A voracious reader, he devoured books of every genre, author and topic. His favorite way to spend an afternoon was at a Half-Price Book Store. He was constantly on the look-out for books that would be of interest to others and his brother, nephew and many friends and grandchildren were the lucky recipients of these “finds” and benefitted from Bob’s love of books.
Bob will be missed by his wife Jeanette, his children Lois Heeringa, David Madson, Melanie (Craig) Bear and Jennifer (Greg) Dey. His 10 grandchildren Kaethe, Chris, Sheri, Karen, Nicole, Robbie, Amy, Rachel, Kelsi and Garrett. His 6 great-children Skyler, Jackqulyn, Tyler, Alexander, Liam, Zoe and Kyli and 2 great-great grandchildren Dante and Xion. His sister Joyce Kilen, brother Denny, his sister Jeri and brother-in-law Jim Beshey, sister-in-law Marianne Madson, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Warren and Carolyn Fox, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Rodney and Elaine Mercer as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Art, his sister Joan and her husband Herman Haag, his sister-in-law Darlene Madson, brother-in-law Gordon Kilen and son-in-law Paul Frederiksen.
A Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held on Sunday, March 25th, 2:00 PM at 1st Presbyterian Church, Mt. Vernon, IA.
Galatians 1:5 To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.