Robert Basham

Robert Lynn “Bob” Basham, 60, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Trinity Rock Island after a brief illness.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at the Port Byron United Methodist Church, 9412 228th St. N. in Port Byron, Illinois.  Bob’s family will greet family and friends on Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  Additional visitation will be on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the church.

He was born on September 21, 1953 to Richard and Irene (Renwick) Basham in Clarion, Iowa.  Bob was united to the love of his life and best friend, Kay E. Voss in Jewell, Iowa on July 2, 1977.  He was a proud graduate  of Ankeny (IA) High School Class of 1971, a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 1975 and received his Executive MBA from the University of Iowa in 1990.  Bob was a faithful employee of Deere & Company for 38 years where he enjoyed working in the Labor Relations Department.

His memberships included the LeClaire Lions Club and the Davenport Investment Group.  His passions were playing golf with his many friends, celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, working on creative technology and home projects, traveling with his wife and playing with his beloved grandsons.  Bob was an active member of the United Methodist Church all of his life.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Kay; his daughters, Diane (Shawn) Basham-Toups of Gray, Louisiana and Sharon (David) Komanecky of Blackshear, Georgia and his twin-grandsons, William & Robert Komanecky of Blackshear, Georgia.  Bob was the youngest of four children and is survived by his brother, Richard (Mary) Basham of Brookfield, Wisconsin; his sisters, Nancy (David) Olson of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Ann (Steve) Ryan of Kooskia, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, his family wishes to establish the Robert L. Basham Memorial Annually Funded Scholarship for future generations of Wartburg College students.  Memorials should be made out to Wartburg College and sent to McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home at 644 River Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.