Bob McLaughlin

Merton Robert McLaughlin, one of two children of Augusta Albertina (Stump) and Emmett Lyman McLaughlin, was born in Beatrice, Nebraska on March 30, 1920. Bob grew up in Beatrice and graduated from high school in 1938. Following school, Bob attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln until 1940 when he entered the United States Army Air Corps. Bob served during World War II as a Captain in the Air Corp. He was discharged in 1946 and enlisted in the Air Corp Reserves. Bob returned to Beatrice and in 1950 began work with the Natural Gas Pipeline. Bob and Ardeth Kay Vokach were married at the First Christian Church in Beatrice on November 2, 1958. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Thomas Robert and Caroline Kay. In 1961, Bob was discharged from the Army Air Corp as a Major. In 1966, he was transferred from Beatrice to the pipeline booster station near Emerson, Iowa and the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa. Bob enjoyed a successful career with the pipeline for 32 years, retiring in 1982. Bob was a member of the Elks Club in Beatrice, the First Christian Church in Glenwood, and the American Legion Post No. 141 in Glenwood. He continued to re...[more]

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n active following his retirement and volunteered many hours with Meals on Wheels, enjoyed his time with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and served on the Advisory Board for the Foster Grandparents. He was an avid crossword puzzle fan and enjoyed woodworking, traveling, photography, and was an excellent cook. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was always committed to his family, home, and personal obligations. Bob and Ardeth had been married nearly 47 years when Bob died at the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA on September 22, 2005 at the age of 85 years, 5 months, and 22 days. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Ardeth of Glenwood; son Thomas McLaughlin and his wife Joan of Omaha, NE; daughter Caroline Gran and her husband David of Glenwood; three grandchildren, Tessa and Abigail McLaughlin of Omaha and Robert Gran of Glenwood; and sister Maxine Preskorn of Denver, CO. Memorials suggested to: Glenwood Public Library, Glenwood Volunteer Rescue and Glenwood First Christian Church