Robert Le Roy Clauson was born on 9/9/1929 and died peacefully on 6/13/2014 at Clare Bridge of Carmel, IN. Bob was the oldest of four boys to Jeannie Abbott and Raymond Edward Clauson in Kiron, IA. Bob is survived by a brother, Lewis (Bud) Clauson of Spokane, WA and children Deborah (Thomas) Baird of Sterling, VA; Steven Clauson of Baltimore, MD; Michael (Pamela) Clauson of Indianapolis, IN; Robert (Wendy) Clauson of Highlands Ranch, CO; and Tawn (Chris) Hoover of Zionsville, IN. He is also survived by step-children Margie (Robert) Skirvin of Champaign, IL; Jeanne (Greg) Siewny of Middleton, OH; Kat (Tom) Maloney of Springfield, IL, as well as 21 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren with another 2 on the way. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Jeannie and Ed, two brothers Jim and Don, and his beloved second wife Lois Van Horn Clauson.
Bob became the man of his childhood family after his father passed away in January 1938. Bob joined the United States Army Signal Corp in 1946. After basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ, he attended the Army Signal School at Ft. Monmouth, NJ before being shipped to Camp Ascom, Korea. After spending 24 months in Korea, he completed his tour of duty at Camp Gordon, Georgia.
Upon discharge, he attended Coyne Technical School in Chicago. He graduated in the spring of 1950 and began working as an electrician for an electrical contractor in Nebraska. In the fall of 1950, he was recalled to active service in the United States Army Signal Corp for one year and one day during the Korean War. Upon discharge the second time, he went back to school in Milwaukee, WI where he graduated with a B.S. degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1957. He obtained his first professional engineering license in electrical engineering from the State of Wisconsin in 1961. He eventually became a registered professional engineer in seven states. He retired in 1993 after 42 years of working as a technical and professional engineer for a number of architectural and consulting firms.
Bob was married to Wanda Swieso for 25 years. Later he met and married Lois Van Horn of Indianapolis, IN. They married in April 1980. Bob and Lois enjoyed living many places around the country while Bob worked onsite as an engineer. They lived and worked in Dallas, TX, Corvallis, OR, Seattle, WA, Aurora, CO, and Zionsville, IN. Bob will forever be remembered for the laughter and joy (and jellybeans) he brought to everyone on his frequent unannounced visits!
The family would like to thank Clare Bridge of Carmel for the outstanding care. Memorial services to be held August 16th in Colorado.
Michelle steffen says
Love you grandpa!
Danny Skirvin says
Grandpa Bob married my grandmother 2 months after I was born and so he always was and always will be my grandfather. He had such a unique way of viewing life. He always had a positive attitude and he loved to make people smile. He was so clever in the ways he would call people names (my wife, Celeste, was either Select or celest-uh) or he would tell such believable crazy stories, he could entertain anyone. But he was always so caring and such a funny and joyous man.
When my grandmother was dying from cancer, stood by her until the bitter end. He was so loyal and loving and I am so glad that they found each other and spent many happy years together.
I miss him so much, but my memories of him and his antics and all the fun we had will last forever in my heart. We may not share blood, but he will always be my Grandpa Bob.