Steve Prouty
March 27, 1957 ~ May 16, 2020
Steven Robert Prouty of Robins, Iowa, died on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at age 63. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when extended family and friends can safely gather together. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family and is hosting a virtual memorial page where all are welcome to visit and share comfort and memories. Please visit www.stewartbaxter.com and find Steve's tribute wall under the Obituaries tab.
Steve was born in Cedar Rapids, and grew up in Alburnett and Marion, Iowa. He graduated from Marion High School in 1975, and hired out on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad in 1979. Steve stayed with the railroad his entire career, serving as UTU Local Union Chair and on safety boards. He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 2019.
Steve loved to work his magic doing small engine repair and general mechanic and electronic problem solving. He did a lot of building and woodworking and worked in the family real estate business. He loved to golf and fish for snapper in Florida with his close friends Ed and Nancy. He was known for his outstanding sense of humor and his love for singing Elvis at karaoke.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Lelia Garner; their children, Celia Garner-Prouty of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Benjamin Garner-Prouty of Robins; his mother, Marilyn Prouty of Cedar Rapids; his ten brothers and sisters, Jane, Becky, Mike, Kathy, Mel, Mary, Tom, Mark, Jeff, and Joe; and many special nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his father Daniel Prouty.
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Dear Lee, I am so very sorry to hear about Steve. Sending so much love to you and the kids. You have been in my thoughts so much recently. Love, Betsy
Thank you Steve, you made me a better person. Vern Winchip
Steve was my locker buddy all through high school. He was a very polite quiet young man but had a fun sense of humor. Was excited to maybe see him at our class reunion this summer but all was cancelled to to virus. Steve shall be missed. So sorry for your loss.😔
I met Steve when he hired-out as a switchman on the CNW RR in 1979. Everybody liked Steve and his easy going, fun-loving personality. Over the years Steve and I attended many union meetings and events together. Steve’s family meant the world to him and he always put them first. I’ll miss you Steve but, There will be many great memories to be shared. God Bless the Prouty family and Steve may you rest in peace. Bill Krejci
I remember Steve from his early RR days. My dad owned a bar and my brother and I worked together. There was what I called the jock section and the RR section. I preferred to work the RR end because they were much nicer. That’s where I met Steve ( and my husband who also worked for the RR) Steve also used his electrical skills in our home. Haven’t seen him in years, but I have nothing but kind thoughts about Steve. I am sorry for the family’s loss.
I met Steve in the mid 1980s, working for the RR in Cedar Rapids. He was always kind to me, and taught me many things about switching boxcars / railroading in the CR area. Every now and then in life, we meet someone who is kind, considerate, fair minded, funny, smart and has that keen sense of savvy. Steve was all of that, and more. He was clearly devoted to his family, and proud of all! I feel blessed to have met and worked with Steve Prouty. May your good memories shine through.
Great person great rail …..RIP
Steve was always a pleasure to work with and never upset at anything that came his way , very easy going and did his job .
Steve was a great guy, so sorry to hear this news.
Steve will be missed by his family ,his friends and his co-workers.He will be missed for his kindness,his sharp wit,his eternal optimism and devilish sense of humor.Those of us that worked with him were shown a way of getting it done right,quick and always in ‘Mayor’ flair that was his alone.The guy was an artist in the switch yard. You’ll be missed Rowdy. Highball.
It’s hard to put into words how much we’ll miss SR. We’re forever grateful for his longterm friendship. Ed’s best friend is gone and we loved him for that friendship. SR was forever doing…working on cars, fixing appliances, mowing lawns, just doing stuff for others. If he didn’t know how to fix something, he’d go online and figure it out. He so enjoyed coming to Florida to relax and play golf with Ed. We enjoyed watching him eat mussels, oysters on the half-shell, shrimp and any kind of fish. He never met a stranger and made friends with everyone around him … talking Hawkeye sports or railroad business or just the great Florida weather while enjoying a Dewars. Above all else, SR was a good person. You want him on you side if you were choosing teams. He’ll always be on our team. We are full of gratitude for having SR in our lives. Rest in Peace, good buddy. The Cahill Family, Ed, Nancy, Zac and Amanda, Jonathan, Caden, Devin and Chloe.
I met Steve in April pf 1980 when I started at the Railroad. He was always a pleasure to be around. He was quick witted, but calm. Always smiling. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. Then he’d look at you with a sly grin. Though we havent crossed paths in a long time. I enjoyed it every time we would bump onto each other. Usually at a union meeting. Where he was highly respected for his knowledge for work matters. He’ll be greatly missed and is gone way to soon. I offer my most heart-felt sympathy to all he left behind.and i will forever have great memories of my friend.
My thoughts & prayers to Kathy & her family. I know Steve will be greatly missed.
My sincere sympathy,
I found out just a few months ago Steve passed away. Steve was 1 of my FAVORITE RR guy’s. He worked many years with my father Don Boe. Steve was so nice. My deepest sympathy to Steve’s family & friends. Sincerely Kelly Boe.