Dr. Robert Wayne Deegan

Dr. Robert W. "Rob" Deegan, 68, of Maquoketa, Iowa, died on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at the Crestridge Nursing Home in Maquoketa, Iowa. A celebration of Rob's life will be held at 3 P.M., Friday, July 6, 2012, from the United Church of Christ in Maquoketa. A gathering of family and friends and time of fellowship and music will be held immediately following the celebration of life service at the Comfort Inn in Maquoketa from 5 to 9 P.M. The family requests casual dress and asks you to wear your favorite hat. A private family visitation was held and cremation has taken place. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Robert Wayne Deegan was born on July 4, 1943 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to James Wayne and Margaret S. (Albright) Deegan. He grew up in Iowa City and was a 1961 graduate of University High School. He received his BA degree from the University of Iowa in 1966 and his BS and DVM from Colorado State University in 1974. He also served his country in the military from 1966 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1968. He married Marilyn Soderberg on June 15, 1968 at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After earning his...[more]

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and DVM, "Doc" or "Rob" as he was affectionately known worked as a veterinarian first in Waukon and later Maquoketa, from 1974 to 1982. He then worked as a Veterinary Meat Inspector in Oamaru, New Zealand from 1982 to 1986, and a Veterinary Consultant and Deer Farmer from 1987 to 2005. He had also served as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Jackson County from 2005 to 2007. Rob was active in many community projects and was generous with his time, talent and resources. He was a charter member of the Black Velvet Band and a member of the Rotary Club, United Church of Christ, and Peace Pipe Players, all in Maquoketa. Doc was just never one to sit around and was a true "renaissance man". He enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes including singing and playing the guitar, acting, deer farming and the outdoors. Additionally, he enjoyed writing, weaponry, theology and faith, and being involved in the church choir. He was described by his family as a man who had a unique fashion style and a man who was a "legend in his own mind". Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Marilyn Deegan of Maquoketa, IA; daughters, Anne-Marie (Jason) Gephart of Donahue, IA, and Lynn Margaret Deegan (Michael Smith) of Lakewood, CO; 3 grandchildren, Grace, Lorelei and Wyatt; a brother, James Lewis (Truc) Deegan of Iowa City, IA; and a brother-in-law, Wayne (Chrisette) Soderberg of Littleton, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the Jackson County Humane Society, Maquoketa Area Family YMCA or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.