Robert Stephen

Robert “Bobby” Stephen, 49, of Davenport and formerly of Oskaloosa passed away Monday morning, December 12, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Robert Lee Stephen, son of Kenneth Robert Stephen and Joan “Joanie” Ann (Howard) Hughes, was born March 23, 1967, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a 1985 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and then continued his education in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he attended welding school. After completing his education, he returned to Oskaloosa and was hired by Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella as a welder in 1987. Bobby married Teresa McNulty, June 3, 1989, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ottumwa. They made their home in Oskaloosa and later divorced. After nine years with Vermeer, Bobby was hired in 1996, as a welder by Tri City Fabricating and Welding Company in Davenport. He remained with Tri City until being hired at John Deere as a welder in 2004. He was employed with John Deere until the time of his death. While living in Oskaloosa, he drove race cars at the Southern Iowa Speedway; he loved NASCAR with Jeff Gordon being his favorite driver. He also enjoyed bass fishing, hunting, golfing and camping. He was an avid football fan and never missed a Kansas City Chiefs or an Iowa Hawkeye game. His family was important to him, and he loved family get-togethers and picnics. His family includes his sister, Tammy (Bob Laverenz) Newcomb of Davenport; his step-father, Jim Hughes of Beacon; nephew, Ricky (Stuart Blom) Newcomb of Manitou Springs, CO; niece, Candace (Jon) Hull of Davenport; great nephew and great niece, Kyler and Kaylin Hull of Davenport; aunts: Sheryl (Ron) McCain, Debbie Stephen, and Carol Beason, all of Oskaloosa and Madelyn Walker of Eddyville; uncle, Robert Rodwell of Givin; and his fur-babies: Josie, Lilly, K.C. and Gravy. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday morning, December 17, 2016, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma of the Good News Chapel officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, at the funeral chapel; family will greet visitors from 4-6 p.m. Memorials may be made to Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter.

Robert Stephen

March 23, 1967 - December 12, 2016