Robert (Bob) Paul DeKock

Robert Paul (Bob) DeKock, 93, of Marion (formerly of Tipton), died peacefully on Thursday morning, November 5, 2020. There will be a private service to honor his memory at a later date. In the meantime, feel free to share your online condolences and photographs at www.fryfuneralhome.com.
Bob was born on October 1, 1927 in Manson, IA to Henry and Edith DeKock. He attended Tipton High School and received his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa.  He was united in marriage to Maxine Horn on August 11, 1950 in Tipton. Bob and Maxine owned and operated DeKock Drug Co. in Tipton for 35 years until they retired in 1985.  They later moved to Marion to be closer to family.  
Bob devoted his life to his family, his business and the community.  As one of only two pharmacists in Cedar County, he dedicated himself to serving the community.  He delivered medicines daily to those customers that had difficulty coming to the store.  As the owner of a full-service drug store, it was common for him to open the store on a Sunday for a single customer, and it was a Christmas morning tradition for him to rescue customers that needed flashbulbs, film or batteries.  He was one of the founders of Cedar Manor, a care facility in Tipton that is still operating today.  He served as President of the 125th Celebration of Tipton in 1965. Bob and Maxine were longtime members of the Tipton United Methodist Church.
Bob loved to play golf because it was something he could do with friends and family, and it provided an opportunity to search for additions to his vast logo golf ball collection.  During his many years in Tipton he and Maxine enjoyed boating on the Mississippi with family.  He was an avid car lover and would spend hours washing, waxing and tinkering with his treasures.  This love of cars ignited a love affair with NASCAR racing, a passion shared by Maxine.  As they traveled the country in their van, they would always visit Presidential Libraries (20), famous golf courses (to add to his logo golf ball collection) and dozens of race tracks to catch a race.  One of his prized possessions is a collage of Welcome sign pictures they took from each of the 48 contiguous states.  On one of their many trips, he and Maxine drove a thousand miles out of their way to capture a picture of the Welcome sign in Maine to complete their collection. These activities helped fuel another passion – buying, selling or swapping cars, boats and golf equipment.  He was always on the look-out for the next good deal.
He will be remembered as a kind, gentle, soft-spoken man that always put others before himself.  
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Maxine (2014). Those left to honor his life are his sons, Jim (Leola) DeKock of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, Ken (Lynn) DeKock of Marion, Iowa and Dave (Anna) DeKock of Ottumwa, Iowa; brother Bill (Margie) DeKock of LaQuinta, California (formerly from Cedar Rapids, Iowa);  grandchildren, Jason, Michael (Kallie), and Jonathan (Annie); one step-grandchild, Wesley (Amanda); three great-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.
The family asks that memorials be sent to Terrace Glen Village in Marion, as thanks for the wonderful care he received.

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