"Please click on the link below to view the slideshow from memorial serivce. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Xyrx0F8VuQK1p7bbs3bY6gLeWAa3uChOkb3sb0UEBsg/edit?usp=sharing"
In loving memory of
Hargovindbhai "H.B." Patel
October 27, 1933 - March 4, 2019
Hargovindbhai Bhikhabhai "H.B." Patel, 85, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019, at his home in Maquoketa.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2:30 P.M., Saturday, March 9, 2019, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Hargovindbhai Bhikhabhai Patel was born on October 27, 1933 in Umrakh, Surat, Gujarat, India to Bhikhabhai and Laxmiben (Patel) Patel. He grew up in India and received an engineering degree from India Engineering College and later furthered his education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
While attending college in America, H.B. worked as a dishwasher for 5 cents an hour. Upon graduation, he moved to Maquoketa and worked at Clinton Engines. He then worked for DuPont in Clinton and retired after a long and distinguished career as a U.S Army civilian employee with the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois. As the engineering manager for the Integrated Logistics Support Center of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command he oversaw 10 individual Product Support Integration Directorates in locations across the country. In 2005, he received the individual Value Engineering Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Defense. He accepted the award during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The honor acknowledged exemplary achievement in improvement of in-house and contractor productivity.
H.B. was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, the Maquoketa Lions Club, and was a SAE International lifetime member. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. He had been a resident of Maquoketa since the early 1960's. He loved living in a small town and considered Maquoketa his home.
Those left to honor his memory include his brother, Maganbhai (Maniben) Patel of Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Urmilaben (Chandrakantbhai) Patel of Nashville, TN, and Champaben (Dhansukbhai) Patel of Elkhart, IN; 9 nieces and nephews; and 18 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"R.I.P. Sir! Your in a wonderful place now gates of Heaven!"
"I have known HB for many years from the fitness center at the hospital. He was the nicest, most caring, and happy man, always had a smile. He would always mention when some of his family would be coming to visit him here in Maquoketa and was always excited for their visits. He will surely be missed around here."
"I worked at the Arsenal and interacted with H B on a regular basis! He was such a wonderful, nice, caring man and so sad to hear of his passing! You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Sincerely, Colleen McSparin"
" So sorry to hear of HB?s passing. I enjoyed his smile and conversation for many years when he came to the fitness center at the hospital. I would either be working or working out with him ?. When I retired I would see him at Fareway and he was always so happy. Good conversations about him and my father working at Clinton engines. God bless you HB"
"HB will be missed by all his friends from Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, IA. He was a good neighbor to my son, Gene, also...and my late husband admired him when they worked together at the Rock Island Arsenal. He definitely was a brilliant man and a hard worker, much to be admired. Janet Koehler"
"Will miss H.B. very much around the gym, and he was always a great role model to us younger people around Maquoketa. "
"So very sorry to hear of H.B.'s passing. I worked with him at Rock Island Arsenal. He was the most quiet, respectful person all of the time. I am sure he will be missed by all. My condolences."
"Jitendra Vanmalidas Patel on March 8 2019 (Khoj Pardi) Our sincere condolences to Hargovindbhai and family . He was the families pioneer shining light. He guided the whole family to become the success they have achieved today. I considered him as my older brother and adviser. I first me Hargovindbhai in 1967 in Umrakh when he was visiting India. He was one my inspiration to become an Engineer. He will be surely missed. Our family will pray to Maharaj and Swami to provide comfort to his soul and place him in Akshardham. "
"My deepest sympathy Accept my condolences From Bhagvati Ranchhod of Umrakha "
"Sorry for your loss. He was always such a gentle, kind man and his face lit up when he would see you."
"Oh HB you will be sorely missed. You were one of the kindest, friendliest, most genuine man I?ve ever known. We need more people like you. All our love to you and your family."
"HB was a good friend and an interesting person to talk and visit with. Always enjoyed our visits when we would happen to run into each other. He definitely loved his family. He will be missed by many."
"I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of HB. HB worked with my dad at Clinton Engines. We would go and visit him and dad. He always had a smile on his face asked how we was doing. I am going to miss seeing him around and having little conversations with him. He was a wonderful man. Sending thoughts and prayers for his family . Rest In peace HB "
"We were saddened to hear of H. B's death. We have known him for for most of the years he lived in Maquoketa. We talked to him about three weeks ago and he seemed to be well. He always had a big smile and wave when he saw us. "
"H.B.worked at Clinton Engines with my Mom and Dad for years. When I was 8 we moved to Emma Court and he lived in the apartments down the street. He would always walk down and talk to my parents and I. As he was driving down the street there was always a big smile and wave as he went by. As the years went by he eventually bought a house a couple doors down from my parents and started his big garden, he was always bringing fresh produce to them and was proud to show them his garden. He is a wonderful memory from my childhood and I will always remember his big smile! Rest In Peace H.B."
"I was saddened by the news I remember hb from my childhood friends the sunderlins. He was a contrast at church and always ready with a handshake hug and smile Rest In Peace old friend. Prayers to his family"
"I have been gone from Maquoketa for almost 10 years now and I am saddened to hear that H.B. has died. He was like a silent bit of fresh air while one was shopping and he always had time for a bit of a "chat". He always was smiling and telling some cute jokes. He was what I would call the "ultimate" of a gentleman. Running into H.B. was a joy and I am very sorry that he is gone. "
"This is very sad! He and I would always run into each other at Fareway or Walmart weekly. We would laugh and joke about it and how we should car pool as much as we ran into each other. And when I worked at Ryan?s barber shop years ago he would always come in with a smile on his face."
"This is extremely saddening to learn H.B. was a fantastic and wonderful, always a joy to encounter. He made visits at the hospital fitness center memorably enjoyable, and just bumping into him downtown or shopping for groceries brightened otherwise mundane days. H.B. will be deeply missed."
"So sad to hear this. He was always so polite, always a gentleman. Reading his obituary, I had no idea all that he had accomplished. He was always a humble man. Family must be very proud of him. May he rest in peace."
"We are so sorry for your loss. HB will definitely be missed, he was a great neighbor, kind, very friendly and funny man. Always had a smile on his face. We?ll miss talking to him ?over the fence?, and telling us that he has to keep the rabbits out of his garden. It?s going to be odd not seeing you put your garden in. Rest in Peace our dear friend, HB."
"To HB 'family for your loss.he was a very good neighbor to my mom when she lived on Emma court.A good man.RIP."
"Spent many years working with H.B. at Clinton Engines to bring product into production. He was dedicated to doing things correctly the first time, first to admit his mistakes and got along well with all his co-workers. A rare person into todays Industrial climate. May he rest in peace."
" a very caring man who wouldn't love the guy so sad that we'll never see him in this life maybe the next"
"Uncle HB....The pillar and bond of our family. The void I feel knowing you are no longer here is unmeasurable. I will miss talking to you, hearing your stories and the reminders of EVERY family members birthday. Those who knew him would agree that he loved his fishing, gardening, canning and Maquoketa, despite his family's attempts to convince him to move after he retired. To all his friends and the town of Maquoketa, thank you for making a warm and loving place for him to live. His final words on every hand written card are the most fitting now....God Bless ! RIP Uncle HB"
"H.B. was a genuinely kind, giving, compassionate, loving, intelligent, fun, amazing soul. If only more people could be like him this world would be a much more wonderful place to live. May he look down from Heaven, upon all of us who knew him, enjoyed his light, and guide and help us to be the best we can be. H.B. your smile, laughter, stories, presence will be missed, but you will never be forgotten, my friend. Thank you for sharing your beautiful soul with us."
"H.B. will be missed. He always had a smile and a friendly word. Our hearts are heavy at his passing. May his family be comforted knowing he had many friends. God's blessing."
"H B WAS SUCH A VERY NICE GUY , SO VERY SORRY FOR UR LOSS "
"So sorry for your loss your family is in our prayers. Hb was an amazing person an a awesome neighbor. We are sure going to miss him. He would always walk the sidewalks at night just to check on everything, when he went to leave his house he would back his car all the way to our driveway just to make sure everything was ok. His laugh is something we will never forget ? lots of memories to remember him by. R.i.p hb ?"
"Scott and I were so sad when we heard this news. Scott will never forget assisting HB in the purchase of his first home. It was a pleasure working with him and he will never forget how excited he was. "
"What a wonderful man! We will miss seeing you at the store , you always had a wonderful smile! Our sympathy to your family. Rest in peace dear friend."