Robert Dale Osborn

Robert Dale Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 92. On Friday, August 29 there will be a visitation starting at 10am followed by a memorial service at 11am at St. John Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, where he was a member for over 70 years.

Dale was born on April 17, 1933, the youngest of 10 children to Orvile and Weltha (Summerville) Osborn. He married Ann Frances Meyer in 1952 and had Dennis and Kathleen. After Ann's untimely death from leukemia, Dale married Carol Mae Janzig Sabbath on May 20, 1967. With his marriage, he became father to Cindy (Sabbath) Horbochuk, Jeffrey Sabbath and Michael Sabbath. Dale and Carol Mae were married for over 58 years and parents to Teresa and Melinda.

Dale started two businesses in the Cedar Valley. The first was Dale's APCO Service Station on Lincoln Street, Cedar Falls, in 1955. He also owned and ran several trucks with Diamond Transport, achieving top earner in 1964. His second business was Waterloo Auto Parts, which he started with his son Dennis in 1979. Ever the over-achiever, Dale retired twice, first from Waterloo Auto Parts in 1997 and then from Warren Transport in 2002, where he was honored for several safety awards. While Dale's work was important to him, his passion was racing stock cars. Dale started racing at Tunis Speedway in 1957. In 1985, he started Midwest Vintage Racing Club. The club traveled throughout the Midwest showcasing their vintage stock cars.

Dale's other passion was his family. He was a wonderful father, favorite uncle and very loving grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, all 9 of his brothers and sisters, and his beloved son, Dennis. Dale is survived by his wife Carol Mae, his six remaining children, 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Aldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls whose staff took such wonderful care of him as he suffered dementia in his last years of life.