Robert Caldwell

Robert Eugene Caldwell was born September 12, 1939, the son of Lloyd and Lillian VanArsdol Caldwell. He passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 74.
Robert was born in Harlan, Iowa. He was baptized on November 28, 1963, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City, Iowa, on March 8, 1990, where he was currently a member. Robert received his education in the Dunlap Community Schools graduating with the class of 1957. On May 29, 1957, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp serving his country until being honorably discharged on May 28, 1963.
On April 9, 1961, Robert was united in marriage to Shirley Deiber at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, by Rev. C.W. Schmidt and to this union five children were born. Robert worked in Sioux City, Iowa, doing construction and at the Armor Packing Plant. He then went to work at the Beef Company in Omaha, Nebraska, worked for area farmers grinding feed, and then began farming with this father-in-law. Later he worked as a security guard with Dubuque and Boyer Valley Rendering plant until he retired.
Robert was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather. His family meant the world to him and the highlight of his day was when his grandchildren would stop by for a visit. Robert loved to share bits of wisdom and life lessons with them. He enjoyed vacations with his family and some very memorable times were when he took them to the Broncos Training Camp, out east to the mountains and historical sights, and the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Robert was an avid football fan following the Iowa Hawkeyes and Denver Broncos. He liked to watch educational documentaries, westerns, and suspense movies on television.
Robert was a good mechanic and liked to work on old cars. He and his brothers had a stock car they raced in Harlan when they were younger. The boys would often reminisce about the time they were testing an engine at home. Robert happened to be riding on the hood of the car going down the lane and it backfired and knocked him off the car! Another memorable trip was when he and his brothers went to the Talladega Speedway in Alabama to watch a NASCAR race.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Dow City; five children: Pamela Meeves of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Timothy Caldwell of Dow City, Iowa; Cassandra Keesling (Kevin) of Des Moines, Iowa; Angela Scales (John) of Ida Grove, Iowa; and Justin Caldwell (Bertha) of Denison, Iowa; eight Grandchildren; eleven Great-grandchildren; two brothers: Ronald Caldwell (Karen) of Lohrville, Iowa; and Richard Caldwell (Vicki) of Sioux City, Iowa; other relatives and friends.