Obituaries : Robert John Stark

Robert John Stark, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m., Friday March 10, 2023, St. Patrick Catholic Church by Rev. Dennis Miller and Rev. Jim Brockman. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Stark Settlement. A Vigil Service held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit with the family following from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Bob is survived by his dog, Finn; nephews, Steve (Sandi) Gibney of Van Horne, Wayne (Carmen) Gibney of Atkins, Donald (Sandy) Gibney of Anamosa, Lynn Gibney of Indianapolis, and David (Ann) Gibney of Elkader; niece, Linda Williams of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Mary Alice Gibney and life-long friend, Lorrie (Jerry) Corrigan of Atkins.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Sara; his dogs, "the Boys"; birthparents and adoptive parents; sister, Leota Louise Getz; brothers, James (Germane) Gibney and Ambrose Gibney; and brother-in-law, John (Jack) Getz..

Bob was born on February 11, 1934 in Watkins, son of James and Florence Smith Gibney and was adopted George and Louise Schmidt Stark. He attended Atkins Consolidated School, graduated from Atkins High School in 1952, and attended Coe College. Bob also served in the Army. On July 1, 1993 he married Sara Porter at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Bob was and expeditor for air flights electronics and radio at Collin Radio from 1954 to 1969. He went on to successfully own and operate the Stadium Lounge, The Inn and currently since 1984, the Westside Lounge. He was a devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #170, Blairstown, and the Knights of Columbus.

In the 1950's and 1960's, he was very athletic and pitched baseball and played basketball for several teams in the Atkins, Vinton, Norway and Watkins area. Often when Bob was playing the town team leagues, he found himself up against his Gibney cousins, Bill, Larry, Dean and Mike. He was also a player for the M&J (Manufacturing & Jobers) and the Iowa Valley League.

Bob enjoyed providing guidance to people who were less fortunate and socializing at the bar. If there was a little gabbing on the side, he was even happier. Bob loved to make people happy and was likewise, he was loved by many people.

Memorials may be directed to the family for an established memorial fund.