OBITUARY
Robert Feilmeyer
Posted 12/8/2020
Robert Edward Feilmeyer was born on March 5, 1938, the elder of identical twin brothers born to Edward and Marcella Feilmeyer in Guthrie Center. His early childhood coincided with World War II, and one of his first memories was traveling with his mother, sister and brother to pick up their father at the conclusion of his service in the Navy during that war. Robert’s parents owned and ran the Gambles Hardware and Feilmeyer Furniture stores in Guthrie Center for five decades, and Robert spent much of his time at those stores, including working there as a teenager and young adult.
Robert graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1956 and earned his B.A. (1960) and J.D. (1963) from the University of Iowa. Upon completion of his law degree, he returned home to Guthrie Center, where he joined Bob and Buck Taylor at the well-established Taylor and Taylor law practice. Robert remained with this law firm for his entire career, eventually becoming a partner, and later sole owner of the firm.
While attending a wedding in Illinois, Robert met the woman who would change his life, the companion and partner for whom he had been hoping. Kathryn Stangl accepted his proposal six months after meeting and a long-distance courtship, and they were married within the year on June 22, 1974, with the Chicago city girl taking up life in rural Iowa.
The couple was blessed with four children: Jeremy (who followed his father by earning a J.D.), Maria, Ann, and John Mark. Robert took enormous pride in his children and their accomplishments. He attended as many concerts, sporting events, plays, etc. as possible with his busy schedule. Although he spent long hours at his nearby office, that space became a place for the children to do their work as well, with his support and help, especially with computers. At home, his affection for his wife was a remarkable example for his children. Robert also will be remembered for doing his share of dishes, kitchen-cleaning, and nighttime parenting, and was no doubt happy when his children finally did learn how to hang up their bath towels.
Additionally, Robert was known around town for his jogging and exercising, hobbies he had taken up prior to marriage, and which he continued long into his senior years. Robert also took an interest in history and politics; he especially loved reading about the U.S. Civil War and made it a point to take the family on vacation to visit important battle sites, such as Gettysburg. To his children he emphasized the importance of both tolerance and equality of all peoples, encouraging them to learn about the world beyond their immediate environment.
A champion for the community, Robert was a member of the original planning and zoning board in Guthrie County, a member and past president of the Lions Club, member and past president of the Board of Directors of the New Homestead, and a volunteer of the Legal Aid of Iowa. A true man of service, he rarely turned down clients, even if they could not afford his legal work. Robert was honored by the Iowa Bar Association for his pro bono work through the years.
Robert was also a life-long member of St. Mary’s parish in Guthrie Center, where he was baptized, received first communion, confession, and confirmation, as well as watched all four of his children receive their baptism and other sacraments. He served there as an altar boy in his childhood, and later as a lector for many years, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Robert was known for his kindness, empathy, loyalty, and support, first and foremost in the context of his wife and children, but he also provided a source of stability and assistance to his parents for much of his adult life. His hospitality and kindness also extended to four foreign exchange students and two foster children. Robert was known for his hard work and dedication to his family, law practice, and community.
Following his retirement, Robert and Kathryn moved to the Lake Panorama community, and Robert finally had the time to travel. He spent much of his time visiting his children in their various locations, including a memorable trip to Benin in west Africa where son John Mark was serving in the Peace Corps. He delighted in seeing his grandchildren, offering them unconditional love and often a convenient napping spot. His retirement also finally brought him all the time he needed to watch Iowa Hawkeye and Notre Dame football games.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Marcella Feilmeyer and his sister Marlene Stangl. He is survived by his twin brother Ron (Marlene) Feilmeyer, his wife Kathryn, and his loving children Jeremy (Tricia), Maria (Jeffrey) Morrow, Ann (Kyle) Ledbetter, John Mark (Paul) Feilmeyer; and his dozen grandchildren: Maia, Eva, Patrick, Robert, John, Nicholas, and Anna Therese Morrow; Eliza, Nicholas, and Alexander Ledbetter; and William and Kathryn Feilmeyer-N’guessan.
Private services were held Dec. 2, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guthrie Center.
Robert Edward Feilmeyer was born on March 5, 1938, the elder of identical twin brothers born to Edward and Marcella Feilmeyer in Guthrie Center. His early childhood coincided with World War II, and one of his first memories was traveling with his mother, sister and brother to pick up their father at the conclusion of his service in the Navy during that war. Robert’s parents owned and ran the Gambles Hardware and Feilmeyer Furniture stores in Guthrie Center for five decades, and Robert spent much of his time at those stores, including working there as a teenager and young adult.
Robert graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1956 and earned his B.A. (1960) and J.D. (1963) from the University of Iowa. Upon completion of his law degree, he returned home to Guthrie Center, where he joined Bob and Buck Taylor at the well-established Taylor and Taylor law practice. Robert remained with this law firm for his entire career, eventually becoming a partner, and later sole owner of the firm.
While attending a wedding in Illinois, Robert met the woman who would change his life, the companion and partner for whom he had been hoping. Kathryn Stangl accepted his proposal six months after meeting and a long-distance courtship, and they were married within the year on June 22, 1974, with the Chicago city girl taking up life in rural Iowa.
The couple was blessed with four children: Jeremy (who followed his father by earning a J.D.), Maria, Ann, and John Mark. Robert took enormous pride in his children and their accomplishments. He attended as many concerts, sporting events, plays, etc. as possible with his busy schedule. Although he spent long hours at his nearby office, that space became a place for the children to do their work as well, with his support and help, especially with computers. At home, his affection for his wife was a remarkable example for his children. Robert also will be remembered for doing his share of dishes, kitchen-cleaning, and nighttime parenting, and was no doubt happy when his children finally did learn how to hang up their bath towels.
Additionally, Robert was known around town for his jogging and exercising, hobbies he had taken up prior to marriage, and which he continued long into his senior years. Robert also took an interest in history and politics; he especially loved reading about the U.S. Civil War and made it a point to take the family on vacation to visit important battle sites, such as Gettysburg. To his children he emphasized the importance of both tolerance and equality of all peoples, encouraging them to learn about the world beyond their immediate environment.
A champion for the community, Robert was a member of the original planning and zoning board in Guthrie County, a member and past president of the Lions Club, member and past president of the Board of Directors of the New Homestead, and a volunteer of the Legal Aid of Iowa. A true man of service, he rarely turned down clients, even if they could not afford his legal work. Robert was honored by the Iowa Bar Association for his pro bono work through the years.
Robert was also a life-long member of St. Mary’s parish in Guthrie Center, where he was baptized, received first communion, confession, and confirmation, as well as watched all four of his children receive their baptism and other sacraments. He served there as an altar boy in his childhood, and later as a lector for many years, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Robert was known for his kindness, empathy, loyalty, and support, first and foremost in the context of his wife and children, but he also provided a source of stability and assistance to his parents for much of his adult life. His hospitality and kindness also extended to four foreign exchange students and two foster children. Robert was known for his hard work and dedication to his family, law practice, and community.
Following his retirement, Robert and Kathryn moved to the Lake Panorama community, and Robert finally had the time to travel. He spent much of his time visiting his children in their various locations, including a memorable trip to Benin in west Africa where son John Mark was serving in the Peace Corps. He delighted in seeing his grandchildren, offering them unconditional love and often a convenient napping spot. His retirement also finally brought him all the time he needed to watch Iowa Hawkeye and Notre Dame football games.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Marcella Feilmeyer and his sister Marlene Stangl. He is survived by his twin brother Ron (Marlene) Feilmeyer, his wife Kathryn, and his loving children Jeremy (Tricia), Maria (Jeffrey) Morrow, Ann (Kyle) Ledbetter, John Mark (Paul) Feilmeyer; and his dozen grandchildren: Maia, Eva, Patrick, Robert, John, Nicholas, and Anna Therese Morrow; Eliza, Nicholas, and Alexander Ledbetter; and William and Kathryn Feilmeyer-N’guessan.
Private services were held Dec. 2, 2020, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guthrie Center.