Robert (Bob) Drury

Robert (Bob) L. Drury, 79, of Belmond passed away Thursday June 29, 2023 after a short stay at the Rehabilitation Center and the Iowa Specialty Hospital in Belmond.

Graveside services with Military Honors for Robert Drury will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan, Iowa, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating.

Family and friends are invited to the United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch Street, Rowan, Iowa following the services for lunch and fellowship.

Bob, son of Robert F. and Mae (Chapman) Drury, was born on January 9, 1944 in Belmond, Iowa. He spent most of his childhood years in Rowan, where he lived on the family farm with his parents and younger brother, Eugene. 4-H was a big part of his life growing up on the farm. In fact, he met his wife, Pat, at 4-H District Camp when he was 17.

After high school he attended Mason City Junior College for a year and the Iowa State Mechanical Technology program for 2 years. After graduating, he and Pat married on December 18, 1965 and moved to Freeport, Illinois where he worked as a Mechanical Technician. When he got his draft notice in May of 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force. He spent 4 years serving in Okinawa, Korea, Japan, and North Carolina.

After discharge as a Staff Sargent, he enrolled again at Iowa State to finish his engineering degree. He worked as an engineer designing large rims for Earth movers and trucks while raising their 2 boys in Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. He spent many years influencing young boys and teens as a Cub Master and a Scout Master, leading his troop twice to the high adventure back-packing base in Philmont, New Mexico, working to instill the points of the Scout Law and a love of the outdoors.

After retirement, they built a house in Tyrrell Park (The Grove) outside of Belmond and enjoyed camping and traveling. Favorite destinations included National Parks, Canada and Alaska, and a group tour they took of Australia and New Zealand. He also enjoyed working on his yard and house, antiquing, model trains, and collecting and working on restoring antique cars.

Bob is survived by his wife Pat (White) Drury of Belmond, son Robert Michael (Audra) of Virginia, son David Alan of Tennessee, 3 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and his brother Eugene of Rowan.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.