Mr. Robert Boyles Ware went home to God on Jan. 28, 2018. He was born to Ira (1964) and Clara May (1917) Ware in Coggon, Iowa, on July 1, 1917. After graduating from Coggon High School, he went on to Belle Plaine College of Business. There, he met Louise Custer, whom he married after he got his degree in business administration.

Robert was a native Iowan who lived at Cottage Grove Place in Cedar Rapids prior to moving to Sweetwater, Tenn., to be near his son and family. He always had a smile on his face and loved talking to people. He was a caring and giving friend to everyone who knew him.

After serving time in the Navy during World War II, Robert drove a bread truck for Peter Pan Bakery, and soon learned he enjoyed being a salesman. He eventually got into sales of building materials, and eventually found the job he enjoyed the most, Swanson & Gentlemen Construction Co., industrial buildings and prestressed concrete. He traveled the state of Iowa bidding on everything from office buildings to factories.

Preceding Robert in passing were his wife of 74 years, Louise (2012); son, James (2014); stepmother, Matilda (1965); twin brother, Richard; sister, Virginia Riggins Christianson; and stepbrothers, Richard and Robert Bressler.

Surviving family members are daughter, Ellen Lacy of Huntington Beach, Calif.; son, Robert D. Ware and his wife, LaVena, of Tellico Village, Loudon, Tenn.; grandchildren, Debra (Bill) Tipton, Russell and Robert (Carla) Lacy, Katharine Griggs, Elizabeth (John) Young, Laura (Rob) Archer, Andrea (Steve) Fernandez and Nicholas (Damena) Ware; 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Pat (Charles) Custer and Mildred (John) Custer; plus many nephews and nieces.

Robert was an active member of the former Trinity United Methodist Church, then moved to Marion United Methodist Church. He was a member of the El Kahir Shrine and Mason Lodge of Cedar Rapids most of his adult life. He was very active in the Iowa Senior Golf Association for several years. Besides golf, he enjoyed fishing for walleye at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota with both of his sons and his grandson, Nick.

A memorial service will be held at Cedar Memorial on June 30, 2018, at 3 p.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or City of Hope in his name.

Online condolences may be left at cedarmemorial.com.