Robert Pritchard

Robert “Bob” Pritchard, 97, the son of Virgil Mearl and Daisy Frances (Porter) Pritchard, was born July 17, 1922, in Valley Junction. Moving to Newton with his family in 1936, he was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1940. He served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II, as a chaplain assistant.

On May 16, 1942, Bob was united in marriage with Mary Munoz. He was employed by Rock Island Railroad, retiring as a switchman in 1960, after 34 years of service. He was a member of the Newton American Legion #111, the Newton V.F.W. #1655, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Grinnell Coin Club. He enjoyed square dancing, taking his kids hunting and golfing, playing semi-pro football in Des Moines and Newton, and collecting coins and railroad memorabilia. Bob enjoyed being with family, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered for his passion to live, his honesty and his generous heart of helping others who ask of him.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary of more than 77 years; his children, Anita (Richard) Bough, Michael (Linda) Pritchard, Lorie Pritchard (Randy Storbeck) and Monica (Jim) Skokan; his grandchildren, Brian Fox (Amanda), Paul Prewitt (Heidi), Connie Fox, Tiffany Bassett, Anthony Pritchard (Emily) and Robert Skokan (Bailey); great-grandchildren, Jessica Kinkel-Schuster (Jeff), Shelby Fox, Maria Penton (Blake), Ben Fox, Aleisha, Keira, Marissa, Alex, Emilia, Gideon, Ivy, Peyton, Kinzlee and Caydence; and great-great-grandchildren, Bella, Charlie, Aiden and one in the womb; a sister, Dorothy Dougherty; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Gloria Ucthman; and two brothers, Virgil and Bill Pritchard.

A funeral Mass will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. Friends may greet the family at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church from noon until 1 p.m. A public rosary service will begin at 1 p.m. with the funeral mass to follow. Memorials may be designated to the Iowa Veterans Home, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the donor’s choice and may be left at the church or at Pence-Reese Funeral Home.