Robert Henderson, 97, of Oelwein passed away Wednesday September 18, 2019 at Grandview Healthcare Center.  Visitation will be from 4-6 PM on Friday October 4, 2019 at the Geilenfeld-Buehner Funeral Home.  Masonic Hebron Lodge 374 services will then begin at 6:00 PM followed with Military Honors by the American Legion Post 9 of Oelwein.  Memorial services will begin at 10:30 AM on Saturday October 5, 2019 at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Coggon.  Memorials may be directed to the family.

Robert Henderson was born August 12, 1922 at Manchester, IA the son of Dale and Laura (Blair) Henderson.  He was raised on a farm north of Manchester and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1939.  He attended Upper Iowa University at Fayette, IA and then worked at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo, IA.  He married Mabel Keller on December 28, 1942 at Manchester, IA.

Robert was a World War II veteran, having enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in January of 1943.  He served 3 years, 18 months aboard a Navy Troop Transport in both the Atlantic and the Pacific.

In January 1946, he returned to Rath Packing Co. and was a Sales Representative and District Manager in various parts of the country, as well as in the Waterloo office.  After 27 years with Rath Packing Co., Robert resigned and was Regional Sales Manager for Teweles Seed Co. until January 1973 when he and his wife Mabel purchased and operated Henderson’s Davis Paint and Decorating in Oelwein for 12 years.  They retired in 1984.

Robert was a Past President of the Oelwein Chamber of Commerce, OIDC board member, served 6 years on the Fayette County Board of Health, member of the American Legion Ross Reid Post 9 of Oelwein, member of the Masonic Hebron Lodge 374 of Oelwein, member and Elder of Christ United Presbyterian Church, active in Rotary and Sertoma Clubs of Oelwein and Meals On Wheels program.

Robert played baseball in High School and College.  He was an avid fan of all sports and loved to play golf and follow Oelwein High School baseball.

Robert is survived by his son Roger (Debbie) Henderson of Oelwein; his grandchildren: Heather Henderson of Cedar Rapids, Lisa (Shawn) McBride of Waterloo, Laura (Josh) Mulnix of Dyersville and David Anderson of Florida; and 9 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mabel.