Bob Boston

Robert Stanley Boston, 85, of Clive, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2025 with his wife by his side. Born in Webster City, Iowa, Bob was the son of Major Howard Boston and Ardys Boston (Hupp). A man of many talents, he had an insatiable curiosity coupled with a drive to make our world brighter.
Through his father's military career, Bob lived in Iowa's Webster City, Dubuque, Hampton, and Des Moines and in Korea. His three years in Germany after WWII with his family, however, he said were the best years of his youth. There his father gave him his first guitar, sparking his lifelong passion for music and singing, sharing his rich deep voice at any hour of the day.
Bob graduated Loras Academy in Dubuque and enrolled in Iowa State University to study engineering, but music lured him to follow another path. In the late 50s he formed a rock and roll band, Bob Boston & the Bobolinks, playing at many regional dance halls, and opening for such acts as the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.
Later Bob returned to ISU to earn a teaching degree and taught high school English, until he pursued a Masters in English. He also wrote his novel, "A Thorn for the Flesh," which won first place in 1974 from the Friends of American Writers. During his 28 years in the English department, he earned his assistant professorship, taught nearly every writing course offered, and chaired the Creative Writing program.
All the while, Bob enjoyed music by singing and playing bass guitar with two colleagues in the English department, Glenn Broadhead and Doug Catron who formed the BBC Trio. The trio delighted audiences with their renditions of classic 40's and 50's songs such as "Autumn Leaves," "How High the Moon," "Misty," and "Route 66" both on and off campus for several years.
Bob's favorite ISU course was script writing where he introduced students to vintage films, another passion of his. He bought one of the very first VCR recorders, just to watch the classic "Shane," all weekend. Over the years he amassed hundreds of films of all kinds, starting with silent movies, and he was always happy to entertain others with a movie in his home after a scrumptious meal for he was an excellent chef.
In his spare time, Bob earned his pilot license, another childhood dream, and enjoyed tackling remodeling projects, building cabinets and other furniture, and assembling models of cars, planes, and starships.
When personal computers hit the scene, Bob became an instant "geek," teaching himself how to program them. He also saw the personal computer as a great teaching tool that could help students work collaboratively to improve their writing. To that end, he was instrumental in developing the first computer-based writing labs at ISU, open in campus classrooms and in selected dorms for students' convenience. In 1997 Bob received a Faculty Citation for inspiring service to students and alumni from the ISU Alumni Association.
Bob was a kind man, a strong man with a generous and loving heart. A funny romantic who gladly shared his stories and his knowledge of his passions to help others grow, whatever their stage in life. At times he seemed larger than life, a force to be reckoned with, but he was just a man embracing life and living it as best he could with a song in his heart. When he learned of his blood cancer diagnosis, he said, "It's okay. I've had a good life. I've done a lot of different things, and I've helped others along the way. I really did have a good life."
Bob is survived by his wife, Judy Palko; his daughter, Irish Boston (Jared Moore); his granddaughter, Lilli Moore; his sisters, Mary Boston, Connie Boston, and Fran (Larry) Armstrong, and a wide circle of nieces and nephews, and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his former spouse, Sharon Boston, and his sister, Rita Abbott.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a memorial service at Westover Funeral Home at 6337 Hickman Road, in Des Moines, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. Lunch will be served immediately following the service.
Bob's family extends their gratitude to the medical professionals and staff in Emergency, Cardiology, and Oncology at MercyOne Westlake and MercyOne downtown, Wesley on Grand skilled rehab, and MercyOne Hospice. Their expert care and kindness during his stays touched our hearts.
In place of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Iowa State creative writing program in the English Department, or to your local food pantry.
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