Robert Earl Allender

Rob passed away Tuesday evening at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as a result of injuries he sustained in a car accident on August 28th, 2013. Robert Earl Allender, son of Earl Edwin and Dora Lula Vander Linden Allender, was born November 21, 1925, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. After his graduation from Oskaloosa High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While in the military he served in the Pacific Theater on a Mine Sweeper and a Sub Chaser Patrol Craft. He served two years and eight months and was discharged in April, 1946, as a Sonarman Third Class. Following his years of service, he attended Iowa State University and then the University of Northern Iowa, where he received his degree in 1950. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Eileen Smiley, June 5, 1955, in Waterloo, Iowa. He began his teaching career in Algona, Iowa, where he taught high school math. He taught math, physics, chemistry and general science in junior and senior high school in Greeley, Manchester, Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before taking a position in Fonda as secondary school principal and athletic director. While in Davenport, he acquired his Master’s Degree in secondary education and a minor in math in 1959. Subsequently, he took a position teaching physics and electronics at Lincoln High School in Des Moines, where he taught for one year. In 1979, he began his tenure with Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, where he taught physics and mathematics for 12 years, retiring in 1991. Rob was a member of Phi Delta Kappa where he was a past president. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, where he served as an elder and deacon. He was a member of the Gideons. Rob enjoyed singing in a quartet with members of the Barber Shop Chorus of which he was a member since 1956. He was a member of the V.F.W. and over a 50-year member of the American Legion. Rob was a member of the Naval Mine Warfare and Patrol Craft Sailors Associations. For six years Rob served as a member of the Oskaloosa Water Board. He enjoyed traveling and music. Robert is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Oskaloosa; a brother and sister-in-law, Edwin Lee (Dorothy) Allender of Chillicothe, MO; nephews, Steven Lee (Donna) Allender of Jackson, GA; John Mauser (Patricia) of Indianapolis, IN; and nieces, Beatrice Allender Fernades of New Bedford, MA; Sally Dockter (Doc) of Madison, WI; Jean McFarland (Larry) of New Port Richey, FL; Carol Jambois (Lou) of Lakeland, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2013, at the Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Rev. Andrea Brownley of the First Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery with Military Honors by the Oskaloosa Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Friday at the funeral chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Friday evening. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church or to the Gideons. PDF Printable Version

Robert Earl Allender

September 10, 2013 - September 10, 2013