In loving memory of

Robert Alton
July 7, 1926 - December 22, 2007

Robert D. Alton, 81, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Saturday, December 22, 2007, at his home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 27, at 11:00 a.m., at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant with the Rev. Rod Cooper officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Burge Cemetery of New London. Memorials have been established to Hospice of Central of Iowa. The son of Atlee and Gladys Howe Alton, Bob was born on July 7, 1926, in Monmouth, IL. On March 1, 1948, he married Beverly Brendel in Burlington, IA. She preceded him in death on April 24, 1988. Bob married Betty Dell Smith on August 3, 1991 in New London, IA. Bob worked in the telephone business for 42 years, most of which was with Contel Corporation. He started out on the line crew and worked his way into management, where he served as State and District Plant Manager for the state of Iowa. Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church in New London. For the past couple of years, he had attended the New London Christian Church. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the New London Country Club and the Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club. He also enjoyed music, arrowhead collecting, and woodworking. Along with his wife Betty, Bob is survived by one son, Robert Alton Jr. and his wife Carol of Mankato, MN; four grandchildren, Jocelyn Alton of West Palm Beach, FL, Lindy Alton of Austin, TX, Nicole Alton Moore and her husband John of Worcester, MA, and Robert Alton III of Mankato, MN. He is also survived by two step-daughters, Carrol and her husband Leroy Stukerjurgen of Sun City, AZ and Janet and her husband John Roederer of Mt. Pleasant, IA; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer Stater of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Angie Nuetzman of Gilbert, AZ, and Jon Phillips of Janesville, WI; and five step-great-grandchildren, Hannah and Paige Stater, Zachary and Kyle Nuetzman, and Jordan Phillips. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly; parents; and one son David Alton.

Tributes

Jules J. Ghyselinck - January .. wrote on Jan 11, 2030:

"Dear Bob and Carol: We were sorry to learn of your father's recent death. We both know how difficult it is to lose a parent. Your father was well thought of in the telephone industry and it was people like him who helped make ConTel the great company it was. Jules and Virginia Ghyselinck"

Larry Day - December 27, 2007 .. wrote on Jan 11, 2030:

"Hi Bob, Barb Smith/Blint called to let us know your Dad had passed away. Sorry we were not able to attend the funeral. We really would have liked to be there to pay our respects and to see the many old friends that I know attended. Am so very glad that I stopped to see him and Betty a year ago last July. I have three pictures that were taken then and would like to send them to you. If you could send me your email, I will do that. It doesn't look like the photo came through with what I sent via the funeral home. Despite all the challenges your Dad had to deal with, he had a good life. I know he was extremely proud, and justifiably so, of you, just as we are. Alicia and I both hope you and your family are doing well. If you happen to drive through Atlanta and have some time, be sure and look us up. We are only about 3-miles off of 75. Larry"

Larry Day - December 27, 2007 .. wrote on Jan 11, 2030:

"Subject: Robert D. Alton, Sr. ¡V an Unforgettable Friend From: Larry Day To: Bob Junior, family members and friends I first met Bob, Sr. in about 1955. He was a supervisor on the General Office staff of the old Iowa Illinois Telephone Company in New London. Some 2-years later I was to know him as my boss while I was working summers and attending the University of Iowa during school years. He helped me in a very basic way one summer as I began working in New London. He got me a 50-cent/hour raise, which was the difference between being able to afford to stay in New London and having to find a job else where. Another I thing I always appreciated was his letting me make up time, I think it was 3-days, that I took off when Alicia and I got married in 1958. In the years that followed, I was privileged to get to know Bob, and Bev, very well. He and I shared and office and even a brief case for a couple of years. Although we were usually quite busy we sometimes had time to just talk. He told me of his background and of the tough start he had in life. Although I may not have the details perfect, I think this is pretty close. His parents both died within roughly 3-months of each other. Bob was just a sophomore in High School. They lived in what Bob described as a ¡§tar paper house¡¨ on the North side of the highway, just West of Stan Walgren¡¦s market. His brother was younger and it fell to Bob to be the bread-winner and try and be both his brother and father. But at 15, this was an overwhelming challenge that I think he felt he was not able to fulfill. I am sure he gave it his best. Despite these difficult younger years, the things I remember most were his sense of humor, his optimism, his love for his family and his appreciation of music. Two of the best things that happened to Bob were going to work for the Telephone Company and finding Bev. I gathered from his account the folks at the company, Art Sanders in particular, gave him the opportunities that he so very much needed. Being very bright and industrious he took advantage of every opportunity offered. He and Bev married young and quickly started a family. I will always remember him proudly telling me how old he would be when Bob, Jr. became 21. Little could he have imagined what a great future Bobby would have. In 1963, my wife Alicia and I moved to New London just a block down the street from Bob and his family. By then David had been added as their forth family member. Dave used to come and visit with Alicia for hours. It was our pleasure to see both boys grow up and mature. I remember one day, seems like it was during a lunch hour, Bob invited me to come out to the house to see his new stereo and listen to a new LP and band that had just come the scene. Stereos were new then and it was interesting to hear the separation between performers. I wasn¡¦t especially impressed with the band though Bob insisted that the group had a great future. Time proved me wrong and Bob right ¡V it was the ¡§Beatles¡¨! One evening there were a group of telephone folks gathered at the old telephone warehouse in the Southeast part of town. We were there building a float for the annual Homecoming parade. My wife was in Mt. Pleasant and Barb Smith-Blint was baby sitting our two kids. I think it was Jack Sheetz¡¦ wife that called with an urgent message that there was a tornado just West of town ¡V headed our way, and to get home as fast as possible. We bailed out like rats from a sinking ship. I was on my motor scooter and Dick Nash had been dropped off by his wife as she and their kids went on to Harold Schultz¡¦s. Bob said, ¡§jump into my car and I will take you where you want to go.¡¨ He had a nearly new Ford with the big interceptor engine, and we were off. We dropped Dick at Harold¡¦s place, and that is another story for another time. We tore back up through town heading for Orchard Lane. As we were headed West, we could see the tornado heading directly toward us. We went past Dick Dircks place and turned the corner at Jack Deck¡¦s h"