Robert H. Durrett

Robert H. Durrett, age 79, of Bettendorf, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme, Davenport. Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 10:00am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with visitation being held one hour prior to the Mass at church.  Memorials may be made to Boys Town, American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.

            Bob was born on January 30, 1944 in Logan, Ohio to Shelby and Hazel (Douglas) Durrett.  He was #7 in line of 9. After a hectic life at home he was flown to Boys Town, NE, where he lived until he graduated from High School in 1963.  Bob had always said that Boys Town saved him.  He loved (most of his time) he was there.  Boys will be boys.  There was a strong bond between the other boys that made them close to this day.  They were his brothers for life.  This was his 60’th reunion year and sadly he did not make it out this year.  On other years he was excited to show off the campus and share many stories.  There were stories from his brothers as well.  He would show where he used to sit before seeing Fr. Wagner on days he didn’t feel the love.  It is now a museum of Boys Town.

            Bob went up to Milbank, South Dakota before entering the U.S. Army on November 22, 1963 in Sioux Falls.  It was a proud day for him, even though President Kennedy was shot at the time he was sworn in.  Bob loved his country, the American Flag, bald eagles and the military.  Bob was a retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 and had served for 23 years with tours in Vietnam three times, Germany, Turkey, and Japan.  Bob has many service awards with three being the bronze star. 

            Bob’s oldest sister Rose kept in touch with him throughout his life.  No matter where he was she would hunt him down.  She is believed to be the one who took his hand to heaven.  Through Rose, Bob got to know his sister Alice (Ali).  She preceded him in death.

            After his military service, Bob worked for the Saudi Arabian Government for one year before coming back to the U.S. and working for Alcoa.  This is where he first met Robin.  It was there Bob found out Robin had lived in Japan for 10 years before him.  They would talk about Japan and his son Sheldon, growing up there. 

            Many years later, after Robin left Alcoa a mutual friend told Robin of Bob being in the hospital.  She felt pushed to see Bob which was out of character for her to do so.  She now knows it was meant to be.  When Bob got well, they went out with friends and later on a date together.   From that time on, they have been a couple.  Marrying in Las Vegas on October 9, 1999. Over Thanksgiving weekend they had a reception at the Bettendorf Holiday Inn.  Everyone eating and dancing was so much fun.  In 2014 they married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

            All through their marriage Bob had health issues.  They got through each hurdle, but this last one was just too much.  Bob had taught Robin all the lessons he could.  God needed him more.   Bob and Robin had a good marriage, even through the bad times.  Genesis East had become their second home.  Bob made a promise to not go before Robin’s parents and he kept that promise. His mother-in-law Janice passed the day before Bob.  Now there are two new angels in heaven.  Look out!!!!

            Bob loved his family, his wife Robin, son Sheldon (Sylvia) Durrett, daughter Shannon, grandchildren Addison, Sophia, Leon and Damien, his sisters Ella Glick and Freida Griffin, sister-in-laws Sandy Feddersen and Tuesday (Rick) Neely, many nieces and nephews and his brothers from Boys Town. 

            In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his siblings, Rose, Alice (Ali), Virgil, Charles (Chuck), Olive and Gladys, father and mother-in-law Donald and Janice Feddersen, brother and sister-in-law Michael and Deborah Feddersen, sister-in-law Debra Feddersen and many nieces and nephews.

            The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Genesis East and West for Bob’s care throughout the years.  To all of his doctors and staff who helped him to have more time with Robin.

I love you forever!

You were my strength, my mentor,

The calm to my crazy.

Until we meet again.

I love you honey,

What a wonderful ride!!

Robin

P.S. Bob never converted Robin to a Packers fan. Go BEARS!!