Robert Allen Cussen Jr., 85, of Dubuque, IA and formerly of Indiana, passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque, from complications of COPD.
A Remembrance Service will be held on Sunday, July 1, at the home of Rob Cussen, 7297 West State Route 16, Roann, IN., where friends may greet the family from 1 p.m. until the time of service which will be at 2 p.m. Methodist Lay Leader Valerie Doud will officiate. Memorial Services will be also be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at the picnic shelter across from Horseshoe Bluff in the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd, Dubuque, IA, followed by a celebration of life gathering. Military honors will be accorded. Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Robert was born April 18, 1933 in Huntington, IN, the son of Robert Sr. and Mana (Walburn) Cussen. He graduated from Central High School in North Manchester, IN in 1951. Robert served his country with the U.S. Airforce as a member of the Strategic Air Comm...[more]
nd from 1951-1955. He started out working for his father for Cussen Service Center in North Manchester, IN. He then started working for Peabody Seating (later Modernfold), and in 1978, he moved to Dyersville, IA , where he was employed with Modernfold until his retirement. He married Peg Loney on January 3, 1992 in Dubuque.
Robert had an avid interest in the restoration of WWII and Korean Era Aircraft. He could often be seen driving around North Manchester in his vintage military Jeep. He loved nature, and volunteered at the Mines of Spain. Robert was a talented woodworker, making many birdhouses and birdfeeders for the Mines of Spain. He enjoyed playing golf, and his favorite drink was a very dry martini. He especially enjoyed picking out new wines to try with Kim, his step-daughter.
Robert is survived by his wife, Peg; his children, Rob (Nancy) Cussen of Roann, IN, and Shari (David) Foster of Indianapolis, IA; his step-children, Kevin (Diana) Loney of East Dubuque, IA, Kim (David) Pregler of Dubuque, and Brian (Stephanie) Loney of Hendersonville, TN; his grandchildren, Christopher, Brian, and Rachel Foster, Jason , Seth, T.J. and Chad Cussen, Gina Cussen Brault, Ryan, Mike, and Eric Loney, Justin Donovan, Rachael, Adam, and Sarah Loney; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jack (Judy) Cussen of Overland Park, KS, and Kim (Krista) Cussen of Bloomington, IN; his in-laws; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved Shih Tzus, Moxy and Penny who are lost without him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Greg Taylor Cussen; and his daughter in infancy, Lisa Marie Cussen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CAF Red Tail Squadron, 971 Hallstrom Dr., Red Wing, MN, 55066--www.redtail.org; or to Friends of Mines of Spain, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd., Dubuque, IA 52001.