Robert L. McGrath

McGrath, L. Robert > OREGON - L. Robert McGrath left this world, but not our hearts, on Thursday, May 10, 2007, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in the midst of his large and loving family. Bob was born April 19, 1923, in Alta Vista, Iowa, to Daniel and Ethel (Albaugh) McGrath as the third child of a family of six children. He graduated from Nashua High School of Nashua, Iowa, in 1941 and worked in farming, construction and the defense industry until he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943. Bob flew with the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 392nd Bomber Group, as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner in a B-24 Liberator. He flew many missions over Germany where he served with valor and distinction and left the service at wars end with the rank of sergeant. Bob came home and entered Iowa State University on the G.I. Bill, from which he graduated in 1949 with an Agricultural/ Mechanical Engineering Degree. He was the first in his family to get a college education. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jean Smith of Nashua, Iowa, on May 30, 1946. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary among their family and friends. While attending college, they gave life to two boys, Todd and Tim. Upon graduating from college, Bob gained employment at Allis-Chalmers and moved his family to Milwaukee. Decent housing accommodations were hard to find after the war and for a while the young family was split up, but eventually housing was found and they all settled in Greenfield. It was there that Bob built a home for his family with his own hands, a task he completed without the use of one power tool. Bob and Mary Jean gave life to five other children in that house, Kerry, Kevin, Nancy, Mary Barbara and Lance. They even hosted George, an AFS Student from Uganda, from 1967-1968. Bob continued to work for Allis-Chalmers and Simplicity Manufacturing until retiring as Chief Engineer in 1986. He spent his retirement helping his wife, Mary Jean, with her real estate sales until she retired as well and they moved to Oregon, in 1991, to be near their family. Bob had a second career in his retirement of remodeling his family members houses. He was always first to volunteer for anything to help his family and community. The great joy that he gave us with all his wonderful creations in wood are also treasured and kept around us. He was a caregiver to all, especially to his son, Tim, who died of cancer in 1995. Bob suffered the ravages of Alzheimers in his final years and we are all angry that the memory of his life and his family was stolen from him. However, he bore this indignity with optimism and sweetness. He was blessed to have such a loving wife who bravely cared for him until the burden became too great. Our family also rallied to their side. Mary Jean also had help from many caregivers and friends, to which she and the family extend their heartfelt thanks. Bob was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived a life of honor with quiet dignity. His strong, but gentle hands built his family a home as well as a life that we are so grateful to have shared with him. We all miss you so much, but know that our pain and sadness will ease when we hear your voice in the wind and see your smile in the sun, as we walk with your memory and hand in ours. Preceded in death by his son, Tim McGrath and parents, Dan and Ethel McGrath. Survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Jean; children, Todd (Cindy Keene) McGrath of Madison, Sue McGrath of Brooklyn, Wis., Kevin (Rita) McGrath of Madison, Kerry (Russ) Wilson of Wausau, Nancy (Steve) Krumrei of Oregon, Wis., Mary Barbara (Jim) Hixon of Atlanta, Ga. and Lance (Emily) McGrath of Middleton; an AFS son, George Kyeyune Bamuge of Uganda, Africa; grandchildren, Brendan, Molly and Sean McGrath, Paul Torgerson and Nikki (Dru) Tobias, Zach and Emily Wilson, Natalie, Stephanie and Mallory Krumrei, Kate, Brian, Trevor and Cole Hixon, Taylor, Kelsey, Payton and Colin McGrath and Mason and Lily Martinez; great-grandchildren, Charles Campbell III and Sierra Tobias; brothers, Burke (Emma) McGrath of Palmdale, Calif., Gene McGrath of New Hampton, Iowa, Merle (Ruth) McGrath of New Hampton, Iowa and Gerald (Rose) McGrath of Milwaukee; and sister, Marilyn (Don) Rasmussen of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at PEOPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 103 Alpine Parkway, Oregon, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, with the Rev. Howard Hintzman presiding. Burial will be held at Prairie Mound Cemetery with military services. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, May 14, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Peoples United Methodist Church, Hospice Care Inc. and the Alzheimers Association. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Rev. Howard Hintzman, Parish Nurse, Susan Payne and to the staff of HospiceCare for the respect, dignity and loving care they gave him in his final days. Gunderson Oregon Funeral and Cremation Centers 431 Soden Drive (608) 835-3515 www.gundersonfh.com