Robert Mock

Robert W. “Bob” Mock, 78, Clear Lake, died Sunday, April 14, 2013 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.  

Per Bob’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a celebration of Bob’s life will be held 10:30 a.m.,  Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th Street, Clear Lake, with the Interim Pastor Kirk Wilke officiating.   Bob and his wife, Joann, will be laid to rest together at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, where full military funeral honors will be provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W. Post 4868.

The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2013 at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th Street, Clear Lake.  Should friends desire, memorials may be left to Hospice of North Iowa.

Robert William Mock, son of George and Lydia Falke Mock, was born July 21, 1934 in Creighton, Neb.  He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Bazile Mills.  He grew up and received his education in the Creighton area. He started working for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in October of 1951 as a construction lineman in the telecommunications department in Redfield, S.D.  Bob was inducted in to the Army in April of 1957 where he served in the special services with the 169th Signal Company stationed at White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico.  He was released from active duty in April of 1959 and returned to work with the railroad. 

  In October of 1961, he was united in marriage to Joann Vander Waal in Volga, S.D., and in the same month was called back to active duty and served with the 140th Signal Battalion during the Berlin Crisis and was honorably discharged in October of 1962. During his 39 year career with the railroad, he and his family lived in Wall Lake, Iowa, Arlington Heights, Ill., Mason City, Batavia, Ill., Boone, Iowa, and Geneva, Ill.  He retired from the railroad in November of 1990 in Chicago as System Manager of Communication Facilities.  

In February of 1991, they moved to Watertown, S.D. and in 1996 moved to Clear Lake.  After his retirement, he was self employed as a private consultant in the telecommunication industry for over seven years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, playing cribbage, and spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren.  

Bob was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.

He will be missed by his children, Debra (Tim) Lindner, Ankeny, Iowa, and Richard (Tina) Mock, Forest City Iowa; five grandchildren, Manda Clark, Alex Thompson, Anna Thompson, Elijah Mock, and Georgia Mock; sisters, Mrs. Ella Mae Jensen, Neligh, Neb., Joan (Vernon) Hansen, Norfolk, Neb., and Connie Mock, Creighton, Neb.; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joann; and one brother, James Mock.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.