Robert Montgomery

Robert Bob Montgomery, 82, of State Center, died Saturday, March 31, at his home. Visitation for Bob will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 5, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorial contributions may be directed in Bobs name to his family. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Bob and his family. Bob was born March 21, 1930, in rural Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of Clifton Jack and Dorothy (Simmons) Montgomery. Their family moved to State Center during his childhood and Bob went on to graduate from the State Center High School in 1949. While in high school, Bob was a very active athlete during his participating in track, basketball and football and qualified for the Drake Relays. After high school graduation, Bob worked at Wheelock Nursery where he gained the love of gardening. During the Korean War, Bob actively served his country as a member of the 73rd Tank Battalion, 7th Infantry Division of United States Army. Following his honorable discharge from the United States Army, he continued to serve his country in the National Guard. Bob returned to State Center where he had met the love of his life, Lorraine Henze, in high school. They were married in Cameron, Missouri, on April 21, 1955. Together they celebrated 56 years of marriage as a couple. He was employed at various service stations, before becoming employed by Lennox. Bob retired from Lennox in 1996. During his retirement, he worked for Hoffman Tree Farm and Hometown Foods. Bob loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed hunting during his younger years, fishing and camping. Bob was very active in the Boys Scouts and was Scout Master from 1963 to 2005 but remained actively involved to present time. During his many years as a Scout Master, Bob led several trips with his troops to the Boundary Waters, the Rocky Mountains, and Camp Mitigwa near Boone. He was also active in the Girl Scouts for over ten years. He was an enthusiastic sports fan of the local school teams. Above all, Bob will be remembered as a hard-working, dedicated, husband, father, brother and grandfather to his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those he touched and led as their Scout Master.Bob is survived by his wife Lorraine of State Center, his son Kevin (Mariela) Montgomery of State Center and Kristi (Mark) Havens of Marshalltown, his two precious granddaughters: Kayley and Breeanne, and his brother Phillip (Linda) Montgomery of State Center. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Dorothy and a sister Mary Lou at her birth.