Robert J. Porter

Robert J. Porter, 76, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at Harmony of Dubuque following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the Hopkinton Community church. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army and the Hopkinton American Legion. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. Pastor Cheryl Gates will officiate at the services. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Bob and his family into their care. Thoughts, Memories and Condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com. Surviving are his wife, Sharon; a son, Brendon (Michelle) Porter; a son-in-law, John Arnold; four grandchildren, Jaiden and Ashtyn Porter, Tarig and Yasmin Arnold; and three brothers, David, Daniel, Daryl (Deb) Porter. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Shelby Arnold, a brother Milton, and sisters-in- law, Shirley and Star. Rober J. Porter was born June 15, 1947, at Wesley Hospital, Wadena, Minn. He was the son of Dorance and Velma Bensley Porter Sr. He attended elementary school in Wadena and Bear Creek, Minn. In 1962 the family moved to Iowa, and he completed his education at the Maquoketa Valley Schools, where he graduated in 1965. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Bob was in the 2/47 9th Infantry as a communication tech with a tank unit. Sharon Marie Green and Robert James Porter were married Dec. 18, 1966, at the Buck Creek United Methodist Church. After he completed his military duty, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids and worked at Collins Radio. He started his career in the telephone industry when he went to work for Northwestern Bell in September of 1969. He later transferred to AT&T and worked the long lines at the Cascade Terminal. The couple moved to West Branch in June of 1995 when AT&T moved him to the Coralville Terminal. He later moved to Hopkinton when he worked for 360 Networks and Quest. In retirement he worked for Danella Engineering and the National Motorcycle Museum. When he was not working, Bob enjoyed collecting old phones and insulators, going hunting and fishing, camping, gardening, stain glass artwork, and classic cars (anything with a carburetor). Bob was active in the American Legion, in Hopkinton and West Branch. He also belonged to the Lions Club in Hopkinton. Bob had served on the Hopkinton City Council. The most important thing in Bob's life was spending time with his family.