Robert M. Balzer, 92, of West Burlington, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born, July 5, 1931, in West Burlington, he was the son of Martin and Gertrude Hull Balzer.
He graduated from Burlington High School in 1948. On July 16, 1949, he married Carolyn “Kay” Bright in Kahoka, Mo. She died Aug. 12, 2015.
Robert was the co-owner of Balzer Brothers, Inc. in West Burlington. He worked for the CB & Q railroad shops as a pipefitter retiring in 1991 from BNSF after 47 years of service.
He was a member of West Burlington United Methodist Church. He was a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a railroad veteran and a BNSF Alumni member. Robert sang in the choir, and glee club and ran track in high school. He had an antique car. He liked to go to Old Threshers where he showed and paraded antique tractors. He collected antique tractors and HO trains, which he liked to run and show to kids. He threshed oats with a steam engine in the summer. Robert enjoyed traveling with family, participating on bowling leagues, fishing and mushroom hunting on his farm. Robert enjoyed woodburning and making birdhouses. He was an excellent welder and could fix anything. He never missed his grandkids ballgames or concerts. Robert mowed grass at church well into his 80’s and was a good cook.
Survivors include one daughter Julie (Lon Newton) Goudie and one son Randy (Kathy) Balzer all of West Burlington; three grandchildren Michael (Natalie) Goudie, Ashley (Charles) Mitchell and Jennifer (Brad) Hoenig; five step-grandchildren Dan, Teresa, Larry, Rich, and Joe; ten great-grandchildren Caleb, Grace, Lillian, Gavin, Elena, Ceylon, Alex, Emilia, Haven, Charli; one great-great-grandson Ciel; sister Donna Hightower of Salem, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Kay, brother Ronald, son-in-law Jim Goudie, grandson Zachary Balzer, and sisters Helen Miller, Mabel Peterson, and Phyllis Breuer.
The funeral for Robert will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 at Lunning Chapel with Reverend Nancy Sutherland officiating. Interment will be in Prairie Grove Zion Cemetery. The visitation for Robert will be Friday, February 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established for West Burlington United Methodist Church.