Robert Egger Sr.

1942 - 2025

Robert Egger, Sr.

January 7, 1942 - June 13, 2025

Robert (Bob) Mervin Egger Sr. age 83 of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away at 5:12 at his residence on June 13, 2025.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2021, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at church. Memorials may be made to St Joan of Arc and the family. Private burial will take place in the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born January 7, 1942, in Monmouth, Illinois, the son of Charles Anthony Egger and Erma Louise (Dunbar) Egger. Robert Attended school in Monmouth, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on January 26, 1960. He served at The Bay of Pigs and early part of the Vietnam War. He was a Lance Corporal (F-3). He served as a bulk fuel man and pumpman (petrol officer refueler II) He received a good conduct medal. While serving he had traveled to 19 different countries.

Robert worked for IH Farmall works, now (Navistar) International for 32 years serving the corporation in many various jobs including truckdriver, stock chaser, and Semi driver for parts pick up. He spent nine years in the Springfield, Ohio plant away from his family here in Bettendorf. He did travel home every other week-end.

Robert especially loved home repair jobs and started a business called 3-S Repair. He was knowledgeable in electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. He worked many years in home repair as a side job. Jan worked alongside of him in fulltime position of business. Bob retired from IH in 1998 and sought a position of property management at Alter Corporation. He retired from Alter in 2021.

Robert was a first and foremost community builder. He and Jan, in 1985, took an old bar and transformed it into the Knights of Columbus Hall #4403 in Bettendorf. He joined the Knights of Columbus 658 in 1969. He moved to Bettendorf and transferred to K of C #4403.

Robert was a lifelong learner, multifaceted abilities to chief in creations in building and life. He belonged to the St. John Vianny Church, Knights of Columbus, Rock Island and Bettendorf, SJV Fellowship, and Hy-Vee Wednesday coffee. In most of his fellowship activities he entertained and it has been said Uncle Bob was a great joy! He was "Bob the Builder!"

He was the entertainer and believed playing tricks and shenanigans was fun; he did these shenanigans so well as entertainment that his friends would call him up and tell him to create some things for them for fun and entertainment. He has been a great mentor to know and learn from. He is loved by many!

Robert is survived by his wife, Janice Kay (Hoover) Egger of Bettendorf, Iowa; son, Robert M. Egger Jr. and spouse, Kataria Bethell Egger; grandsons, Charles C. Egger and Wilkinson H. Egger; and a special niece, Gina Marie Valle Fox.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Sammuel Robert Egger; his parents; and sisters, Carolyn Probizansky, Delores Delila (DeDe) Foust, Donita (Bonnie) Gittings and Judith Reddish, Joyce Egger in infancy; and brothers, Charlie, Donald, Kennith, and Michael Egger.

Online tributes may be expressed at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.