Robert L. O'Brien

Robert L. "Bob" O'Brien, age 87, of Dubuque, and formerly of East Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 11:28 a.m., on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at home, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Bob's life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, October 12, 2017, at the Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road, with Rev. Joseph L. Hauer officiating. To celebrate Bob's life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by the Dubuque Marine Corps League.Bob was born on April 17, 1930, in Peoria, IL, son of Fred "Jack" and Elsie (Frey) O'Brien. Bob honorably served his country with the U.S. Navy on the Battleship Missouri during the Korean War. After returning home, Bob was united in marriage to his first love, Margaret Donahue, on July 28, 1955. They would make East Dubuque their home and be blessed with 45 wonderful years toget...[more]

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, and 6 children, before she was called home ahead of him in August of 2000. Bob was fortunate enough to find love again and was blessed with another 11 years of devoted companionship after being united in marriage to Gladys Scheckel on November 14, 2005. Bob diligently provided for his family by first investing over 22 years as an architect for private clients, and secondly as an electrical engineer with Interstate Power Company for another 19 years of his working career. Bob was a true man of faith and his membership with The Church of the Resurrection was an undeniable badge of honor in his life. He would also generously devote countless hours of his free-time with the Mississippi King Club, the Dubuque Community Y, the Gramercy Park Foundation, and the Dunleith Railroad Historical Society. Bob was also quite an accomplished drummer at heart who would routinely share his talents with his friends in various bands, the East Dubuque Drum and Bugle Corps, and also as a loyal instructor with the Dubuque Colts Drum and Bugle Corps. Bob has surely lived a full and fruitful 87 years here among us. His kindness, patience and compassion for those around him has impacted numerous lives along his journey and the Tri-state Community is absolutely in much better condition because of Bob. We will definitely miss him, forever love and respect him and never doubt that the Heavenly Choir now has a very welcome new addition to their percussion section. Job well done Thy good and faithful servant! Those left to cherish Bob's memory includehis wife,
Gladys O'Brien, Dubuque, IA;his children,
Sheila (Terry) Wacker, Round Rock, TX,
Patricia (Adam) Bertran, Nashville, TN,
Terry (Mary) O'Brien, Burlington, IA,
James (Shirley) O'Brien, East Dubuque, IL,
Robert (Susan) O'Brien Jr., Dubuque, IA
and Dan O'Brien, Elgin, IL;and his 10 grandchildren.Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his 1st wife, Margaret O'Brien; and a brother, Jack O'Brien.A Robert L. "Bob" O'Brien memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among his favorite charities.Bob's family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque for their kind and compassionate care of Bob, and the family. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://hosting-22883.tributes.com/obituary/show/robert-l.-bob-o-brien-105301674