"I was jus reading again about Bob and Jean, I feel so bad I never had a chance to talk to them again...it is a big void in my life that they are gone...just want the family to know they meant a lot to us..they are with my Wally, gone almost 10 years..."
In loving memory of
Robert Lee Humphrey
July 9, 1932 - June 27, 2022
Robert Lee Humphrey, 89, died on June 27, 2022 at the Green Hills Health Care Center in Ames, Iowa, surrounded by loving family, and under the care of Suncrest Hospice. Private memorial and committal services will be held, and the family will greet friends and celebrate Bob's life on Monday, July 11, 3:00 - 5:00 pm in the Green Hills Community Room, 2205 Green Hills Drive, in Ames.
Bob was born in Butte, Montana, on July 9, 1932 to Robert and Alivia (Rehfeld) Humphrey. At the age of 2, he moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he was raised by his maternal aunt and uncle, Helen and Wells (Bill) Geer. He was a 1950 graduate of Aberdeen Central High School and a 1954 graduate of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. He also did graduate work in environmental studies at the University of Southern California.
Bob began his career at General Motors in Dayton Ohio, and then from 1955 to 1957 served in the U. S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps, stationed at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD, and later in Tokyo, Japan. Upon his return to the U.S., he accepted a position at the Iowa Highway Commission in Ames, Iowa, where he met Jean Listebarger. They were married in Cedar Rapids on June 27, 1959, and had two children, Sandra and Richard. Bob was licensed in Iowa as a Professional Engineer in Highways and worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation from 1957 until 1992, when he retired as Director of Highways / Chief Engineer. Bob was a longtime member of Collegiate United Methodist Church, and his faith was very important to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill, his Aunt Flossie Rehfeld, and his wife Jean.
Bob is survived by his children, Sandra Peterson (Mark) and Richard Humphrey (Angie Myers), five grandchildren, Makenna, Kaitley, and Cassidy Peterson, and Alexis and Mason Humphrey, and a half-brother, Richard Humphreys and children, Luke, Kourtney, and Kesse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the G.S. Nichols Scholarship Fund at Collegiate United Methodist Church or to the donor's choice.
The family wishes to thank Suncrest Hospice, as well as every staff member in the Green Hills Health Care Center for their patient and compassionate care of Bob.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuenralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I have sat here in tears looking at all the pictures , so glad you made a video ..but I wish I could have talked to them one more time!!..we had traveled together many years ago to Ireland, Scotland and Wales and remained friends all the years afterwards..they visited us with their mobile home several times and we made the trip to Iowa, enjoying our stay with them..just want the family to know how they are missed...God Bless....Christine Beard"
"To The Family: My sincere condolences on the passing of your father. I have more admiration, respect, and appreciation for your father than words can adequately convey. When I started in 1983 as an engineer in training at the Des Moines Residency your father was the District Engineer. For reasons I cannot explain he took a interest in my career and provided much needed advice, support, and encouragement until the day he retired. As a young African-American that meant more than you can imagine. and I have fond memories of those conversations. I was the Resident Maintenance Engineer in Fort Dodge, when he retired and I can still remember the first time he stopped in the office and was standing at our counter with his back to me. Your father always wore a suit and tie to work and I didn't recognize him at first because he was wearing jeans, and I just remember thinking, "Mr. Humphrey wears jeans!" We had a nice visit and I saw him again a few years ago at a retirement and we had a nice opportunity to get caught-up. I am extremely proud of the career I have had, but I feel even more blessed by the people who helped make it possible, starting with your father. God Bless Michael Kennerly"
"My deepest sympathies to Sandra and Rich on the loss of their father. Bob was a kind and gentle man, who showed me love. He was responsible for most jobs I have ever had. First, was as a teenager helping him at home, raking leaves, carrying firewood, digging a trench behind the house he and Jean owned next door. While working in his yard, he was an engaged and caring mentor. Next was a job with the DOT counting cars for two summers in college. I returned to Ames 17 years later to practice at McFarland Clinic in 1990. Not surprisingly, it was Bob who made the contacts to in 1989 that alerted the clinic and me of an opportunity. So yes, he got me the best and most important jobs I ever had. But he was so much more. He was a treasured friend, and I vividly remember him for the way his face would light up a room whenever we saw each other. I will miss seeing him, but his presence will be part of me as long as I am alive. Loving you, Bob."
"Your dad was the foundation of my 33-year career with the Iowa Department of Transportation. He hired me first in the department he oversaw. He seemed to know when I began to get bored with my duties and was right there with new challenges. I'll never forget him."
"To Bob?s family, Saddened to learn of Bob?s passing. Bob and I worked together at the Iowa DOT for many years. My fondest memory is the Saturday Ross Adams and I helped Bob work on the foundation of the family home on North Dakota . Blessings to all of you. Rex Wiant He was a great guy and good friend. Always looked forward to hearing from him at Christmas time. "
"To Bob?s family, I got to know your dad well when he was a district one engineer at the DOT. We spoke many times on the phone since I was the Ames resident maintenance engineer?s secretary for 13 winters/years. Your dad was always so kind, with a smile on his face, and a great person to know. I got to know your mom also through some of the DOT retirement parties. At one time she was a judge for the Ames national secretaries monthly meeting we had. I was one of the contestants. Later she told me I had the best answers, but others had more things to say in writing than me. She made me feel so good. My sympathies to each of you and in the days, months, and years to come. He left his foot prints here on earth that will be hard to follow. Bob was a class act. Betty Gordon, Ames "