Robert A. Gregory

Robert A. Gregory, 88, Tipton, died peacefully October 31, 2017 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. The son of Stanford and Grace (Ferguson) Gregory born April 14, 1929 at Iowa City. He grew up on a farm in Union Valley Township, Cedar County and graduated from the 8th grade of the Union Valley School. He graduated from the West Liberty high school with the Class of May 1946. At the age of eighteen he purchased his first tractor. He with his mother and sister, Shirley, moved to the Tipton area in 1947 and he rented his first farm northeast of Tipton. In October 1950 he met Yvonne Gadke at HiWay Gardens of Stanwood. On December 6, 1953 they were united in marriage by Rev. Edward Bowers at the St. Johns Evangelical Reformed Church in Clarence, Iowa. They moved to a farm Northwest of Clarence where their two daughters, Sheryl and Patricia were born. In the spring of 1963 they purchased two adjoining farms north of Rochester. They added a son, Robert E. to their family. In 1972 they sold the farms and purchased a farm East of Rochester. He was always know for conservation farming. They planted 99 windbreak trees which he received a soil conservation service award. He enjoyed woodworking and always found a way to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. He spent many hours making gifts for family members and items for Yvonne to sell at many craft shows. He had a love for hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Rochester United Methodist Church, Cedar County Farm Bureau and Cedar County Coop. He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years; two daughters, Sheryl Gregory and Patricia (David) Helmold of Tipton and son Robert E. Gregory of Stanwood; grandchildren, Tracy (Larry) Covington, Jennifer (Mike) Redlinger, Sarah Helmold, Lindsay (Devin) Beni, Bethany Gregory, Patrick Gregory, and Lauren Gregory; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Skyler, Michael, Alyn, Quintin, Olivia, Samuel and Natalie. He was preceded in death by sisters; Margarite, Edith, Mary, and Shirley, half-sister, Edna and brothers, Stanley and Albert and half-brother, Lester. In lieu of flowers memorials can be given to Rochester United Methodist Church, Camp Courageous or Tipton Ambulance Service.