Robert Turecek

Robert William Turecek, 90, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2021, at Hiawatha Care Center. Private family services will be held at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, with burial following at Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends and extended family are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Bob's tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family. Bob was born on February 13, 1931, on the family farm near Cou Falls in Johnson County. He was the only child of William and Marie 'Mayme' (Teslik) Turecek. Bob's admirable work ethic began as a 14-year-old in 1945, working as a hired hand on the farm. He later worked for Kent Feeds, Swisher Farm and Lumber, Texaco, and Trax Oil. His primary career was as a machinist for Terex (formerly Cedarapids, Inc. and Iowa Manufacturing) for 38 years before retiring in 1993. Bob was an expert storyteller, card player, and prankster with a memorable and hearty laugh. He was always happy and his love for family, friends, and community shined through every day! When he wasn't mushroom hunting, you would find him fishing and giving back his time and talents. He was a driver for the Emerald Knights Drum & Bugle Corps; donated five gallons of blood to the Mercy Hospital Blood Bank, volunteered at Mercy Medical Center; supported his union, IAM Local 831, including receiving the Betty Pierce Labor Senior Award in 2004 from the Hawkeye Labor Council for 'long and outstanding efforts to advance the labor movement'. Bob also gave back to his country with six years of service to the National Guard. In his later years, Bob was active in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Golden 'Oldies', Senior Dinners and Lazarus Mass at Immaculate Conception, and he really enjoyed ringing bells with the Ding-a-lings at Garnett Place. On October 11, 1952, Bob married the love of his life, Shiela McDermott at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Their family grew to include three daughters, Marlene Turecek, Lori Turecek, and Robin (David) Nelson; and four grandchildren, Katie, Benjamin, and Emily Nelson, and Sean Carver. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Shiela. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Community Health Free Clinic, 947 14th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401, or Tanager Place, 2309 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404, Attention Advancement Services or Venmo @Tanager-Place (#3432). Bob touched many lives and made many friends along his life journey. His family extends appreciation to Garnett Place, Hiawatha Care Center, Mercy Medical Center, and Hospice of Mercy for their wonderful care and loving touch. It means the world.