Robert ‘Bob’ Casber was born on December 22, 1932 in Buchanan, North Dakota, the son of Walter A. Casber and Clara Olson Casber. He passed at the ripe young age of 88 on Thursday, February 25th, 2021 to be with his Heavenly Father and beloved wife, Toni.
He grew up in Minneapolis, MN, playing baseball with his friends and graduated from West high school. In 1952 he joined the United States Army and worked with the Army Security Agency in Germany during the Korean War. He married Karen Swanson in 1956 (having 3 children) and began to work for Clark Oil as a salesman. In 1966 he began working with Skelly Oil and later bought the garage and service station that his famous dog ‘Killer’ guarded.
In 1976 he and Carmela Leo Dougherty ‘Toni” married. Between the 2 of them they had 4 children.
In 1989 he retired and moved to the country in Stuart, IA with Toni. He built his own home, complete with a woodworking shop of his dreams. He briefly worked for the Stuart post office and was also the custodian for the All Saints Church creating many beautiful, fine
woodworking pieces for them.
After enjoying the country life, they moved to Waukee to be a little closer to family. Bob was a family man through and through and coveted time spent with them ( especially his 5 grandchildren, and 2 great grandson’s whom he adored!) He looked forward to his yearly visits with lifelong friends and army buddies. He especially loved being in his wood shop with his cat, Mooshie Jack, making beautiful woodworking projects to share with friends and
family. He also enjoyed baking. Especially cinnamon rolls and would deliver them to anyone he knew that loved them! He enjoyed playing Cribbage with his dear friends, got a kick from
bean bag baseball and bowled a 300 so many times it was almost legendary!
He was a proud member of the American Legion and a long time member of Toastmasters giving many wonderful, colorful speeches over the years. His kids and grandkids enjoyed the benefit of his rehearsals and would cheer him on! He also served as president of the Greater Des Moines Toastmasters area for a while. He continued to give speeches and have Table Topic conversation gatherings with friends, new and old.
Bob is survived by his 4 children, Michelle Casber Morlan (Scott), Scott Casber (Susan), Vanda Casber Mead (Robert), Chris Dougherty (Kelli) and 5 grandchildren, 2 great grandson’s and one sister, Rose. He is preceded in death by his wife Toni, his father and mother, and 5 siblings.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 4 at Brooks Funeral Care. Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 5 at St. Theresa Catholic Church followed by interment at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Donate now to St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or another charity of your choosing.
