Robert Howell

Robert Howell
July 24, 1932 - September 16, 2007
Williamsburg, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 - 7:00pm with a Masonic Service at 7pm September 19, 2007 at Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, IA
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. September 20, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church Williamsburg
Robert Russell Howell was born July 24, 1932, in Roberts County, South Dakota to Ada (Huff) Howell and Edward morris Howell. He attended rural school in Lee Township and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1950. Robert served in the US Army, 61st Battalion, based in Okinawa, Japan from 1954-1956 during the Korean Conflict. After his honorable discharge he returned home to his mother's farm to assist her. On September 13, 1959, he was united in marriage to Jeannette C. Overby, at First presbyterian Church in Wilmot, SD. They resided on the family farm in Lee township until 1966. After selling the farm, Robert enrolled at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Park Management and Horticulture. The family relocated to Garretson, SD, where Robert was the Supt. Of Palasades State Park, near Sioux Falls, SD. In 1971, Robert accepted the position of Park Supt. for the City of Mitchell, SD. During his tenure in Mitchell, a new outdoor stadium, baseball complex and municipal 9-hole golf course were built. In 1975, the family moved to Iowa City, IA, where Robert served as the park Superintendent in Iowa City for 22 years, retiring in 1997. Robert faced many challenges during his stewardship of Iowa city's parks: noteworthy were the winter skating ponds and the destruction caused by the flood in 1993. Throughout his life, Robert was deeply devoted to the church, serving as a Trustee in the First Presbyterian Church in Mitchell, SD and as a Deacon and Elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. He also served on the Mission Board of the Congregational (UCC) Church in Iowa City. He was also a board member for the International Host Family Program at the University of Iowa, welcoming and placing international students with families in the community. Robert was a member of Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4, holding many offices, including Grand Master of the Lodge. He was a member of the Iowa City York Rite Bodies and a Noble of the EL Kahir Shrine, Cedar Rapids, IA. In 2003, Robert and Jeannette sold their home in Iowa City and Moved to Williamsburg. Robert dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren, doing yard and garden work, listening to country music and watching the 'Brit-coms' on Iowa Public television. He was an avid fan of both the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones. Robert died Sunday, September 16, 2007, at the Colonial Manor in Middle Amana, Iowa, at the age of 75 years, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jeannette; a son, Robert M. (Dana) Howell; a daughter, Erin Howell Gritsch (Scott); a granddaughter, Morgan and a grandson Myles, all of Williamsburg; three sisters, Marion Sorenson of Sisseton, SD and Mesa, AZ; Mavis (Russell) Hicks of Marvin, SD and Harlingen, TX; Dorothy (Stan) Piechowski of Brechenridge, MN; a sister-in-law, Patricia Krell of Iowa City; a brother-in-law, Charles (Rosalie) Overby of Lake preston, SD; many nieces, nephew, grandnieces and grand nephews; and pet and companion, Princess. He is preceded by his parents, and brothers Merle, Harold, Kenneth and Edward, Jr. Celebration of Life Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Thursday, September 20, 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg. Pastor Jan Scott will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg, with Masonic Services at 7 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's research, the Essence of Life Hospice of Iowa County, or the Iowa City Masonic Scholarship Fund. Memorials may be sent to Jeannette Howell at 100 Village View Circle Apt 206, Williamsburg, IA 52361. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.