Robert B. Morck

Robert died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on June 21, 2019 after a long battle with Mesothelioma. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his three children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, six sisters, and many nephews and nieces.

Robert (Bob) was born November 16, 1946 to Richard Eugene Morck and Edith Louise (Brooks) Morck. He was blessed with six sisters, Kathy South, twins Caren (Darrell) Wolfe and Carolyn (James) Johnson, Rose (Doug) Fink, Mary (Dr. Blair) Yager, and Evelyn (Jim) Kotouc. He had a rich childhood filled with adventures and exploration with his sisters and many cousins and friends. He Graduated from Nevada High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from Olivet Nazarene College in 1969.

Bob married Darla Northrup August 1969. This union produced three children, Tracy Durbala, Eric (Carmen) and Travis. Bob has six grandchildren, Tarah (Justin) Bales, Alex Wiekert, Korey Martz, Devin Combs, Joseph Durbala, and Gloria Fischer. He has two great grandsons, Blake and Corbin Bales.

Bob was employed with Woodward State Hospital School early in his career, then moved on to Glenwood State Hospital School followed by a Workshop for mentally handicapped in Albia, Iowa. The family then moved on to Des Moines, Iowa where he was employed with a rehab center for drug users and finally to Fort Des Moines Corrections Center. His career was spent primarily as a parole officer. He was the oldest graduate of the Des Moines Police Academy at age 50 as a requirement of his position. While in the Academy his class participated in the “Got Milk” campaign and was featured in Time Magazine which he had a lot of fun with. He then moved on to finish his career as a Parole Officer in Waterloo, Iowa.

Bob was an avid lifelong reader. It was unusual if he did not have at least one book going. He loved westerns, fiction and non-fiction, science fiction history, and political writings. Another favorite pastime was fishing and frying fish up for dinner. He would go fishing with anyone, but his favorite fishing buddies included his father, brothers-in-law, Jim Johnson, Joe Richmond and son, Travis. In addition, he loved music, and in his later years enjoyed spending many enjoyable hours with friends going to Blues concerts. He enjoyed travel and had many opportunities to do so in his capacity as a union member and political activist.

Bob was a lifelong Democrat and participated at many levels to help elect those he supported as political leaders and in protests of those he did not. If you involved yourself in a political conversation with Bob, you knew it would be involved and well supported and might take a good bit of your time. He was always well-versed in the current events of the day. He also enjoyed a good religious debate and knew his Bible. He could debate with any clergy with the verses and context to support his views. While he did not regularly attend church, but he believed himself to be a Christian and was very spiritual.

He was a member of AFSCME union for 40 years and was an active participant in many capacities. His children have many AFSCME keepsakes and clothing that Bob collected. He also served on the board of the NAACP, Iowa Citizens Action Committee and others.

We will lovingly remember Bob for his love of family and friends, his kindness and generosity to others, his sense of fairness, his infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humor, and his dedication to community.