Robert Leo Kearney

Bob Kearney, 81, Waukee, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 21, 2023 with his loving family by his side.  Bob was born February 14, 1942 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  He graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) with a degree in chemistry.  He met his wife, Lois, at ISU.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 20, 2023.

Bob’s greatest joy was spending time with family. He loved watching his kids' and grandkids' school activities and sporting events. Bob enjoyed golfing, traveling, and a nice glass of wine.  He was a learner at heart who enjoyed getting to know others.  Bob was a problem solver and planner, always trying to figure things out.

Bob spent his career working in the pulp and paper industry at Penford, ADM and Cargill in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Western Polymer in Moses Lake, Washington. He served as TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) Chairman and received the prestigious TAPPI Leadership Award.  Bob authored numerous publications on uses of starch in the paper industry.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lucille Kearney, sister, Kay Wilson, and brother, Tom Kearney.

Bob is survived by his wife, Lois, and sons, Chad, Greg (Niki), and Jeff (Susan), grandchildren, Courtney, Justin, Anna, Ben, and Sean, and great granddaughter, Leah, sister, Janet Cassidy, and brother Tim Kearney.

The family would like to thank all the staff at MercyOne Johnston Hospice Care and the MercyOne Advanced Heart Failure Clinic for their kindness and support.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00AM, Monday, May 1, 2023 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. Visitation will  begin at 10am at the church until 11am. A private family burial will take place Tuesday at the Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Heart Foundation at www.iowaheartfoundation.org.