Robert Scott

Robert John Scott was born to Marshall and Elizabeth (Campion) Scott on February 20, 1935 in Rochester, Minnesota.  He grew up in Chatfield, Minnesota where he attended school, worked his family farm, was involved in athletics and choral music, and graduated in 1953.  Bob joined the angels on November 12, 2019 surrounded by his children and loving wife after a lengthy illness.  

On June 6, 1959 he married the love of his life Betty Meyer in Austin, Minnesota.  They just celebrated their 60 year wedding anniversary.  To this wonderful union five children were born, Dan (Jennifer), Kelly (Mary), Jim (Angie), Julie (Marty Soat) and Kristyn (Barry Kell), fourteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Bob joined the Army in 1954, served in Germany from 1955-56 and was in the Army Reserve in 1956-57.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 15 in West Union.  He was also a member of the Holy Name Parish where he served as a lector and usher for many years.  Bob was a member of the Lions Club since 1971, serving on the Board of Directors and President for one term.  He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his humanitarian services and was selected as West Union’s Citizen of the Year in 2006. Bob also enjoyed volunteering at the Fayette County Food Bank and Good Samaritan Home.

He attended the University of Minnesota from 1953-54, and after his stint in the Army, returned to the U of M for an additional year.  He then transferred to Winona State University in 1957 where he graduated with his BA in Math Education in 1960.  While at Winona State Bob was a charter member of the track team while serving as the team captain as well as the team captain for the cross country team.  After five years of teaching and coaching Bob returned to WSU to attain his MA and then did additional math graduate work with the NSF scholarship, and is a lifetime member of the NEA.

His teaching and coaching career began in Bloomington, Wisconsin and then to Watertown, Minnesota, Wausau, Wisconsin, Lansing, Iowa and finally to West Union, Iowa at North High and North Fayette.  Bob retired from teaching in 1996, but continued to coach boys and girls cross country and boys track until 2007, he continued to volunteer with track until 2018. He is a forever Hawk.  Throughout his career he coached football, basketball, track and cross country. He started a track program and helped start a football program in Bloomington, Minnesota and then started a cross country program for boys and girls at North High as well as a girls basketball program.  Coach Scott had many successes while coaching at North and North Fayette including; one state title and four runner-up titles in girls cross country, one state title and two runner-up titles in boys track, 16 individual state titles and one relay in boys track, one individual and one runner-up in state XC.  He was named the State Coach of the Year in 1975 for girls XC and State Coach of the Year in 2006 for boys track.  Bob was inducted into the Winona State University Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Iowa Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006. He was most recently honored with the naming of the Bob Scott Cross Country Invitational.  Bob Scott dedicated his life to education and athletics.  

Bob and Betty were foster parents for several kids, some stayed for a short time while others were there for many years.  They also hosted three Spanish students for an academic year and British students for a short time.  Bob and Betty served as chaperones for the British exchange program with the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and the senior class trip to Chicago for many years. Bob and Betty loved to travel with family and then together, throughout the United States and Europe for its history and beauty, one of his favorites was Crazy Horse in South Dakota.  Another one of their travel highlights was meeting Queen Elizabeth at the Clitheroe Royal Grammar School’s dedication and celebration.  

Bob practiced what he preached as an avid runner, biker (he biked RABGRAI for 36 years) and an active walker; one of his highlights was qualifying and running the Boston Marathon.  He also loved playing basketball and athletics in general.  He and Betty loved to dance and did so whenever they could.  His favorite pastimes were reading, listening and playing country music, cheering for his Golden Gophers, playing cribbage and going sledding with his children and grandchildren.  Family gatherings were always great fun at the Scott household.  He will be remembered for his great hugs, kind heart and his love for his family.  

In lieu of flowers the family ask that you please make a donation to the Bob Scott Scholarship Foundation through Dollars for Scholars at North Fayette Valley or to Gunderson Palmer Hospice. The Scott family is forever grateful for the loving care Bob received through Gunderson Palmer Hospice, the doctors, nurses and all who cared for him during his illness.  

Visitation will be Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 1-5 pm with a 1:00 pm Prayer Service at Holy Name Parish Center, West Union, Iowa and one hour before Mass at the church on Monday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Monday, November 18, 2019 at Holy Name Catholic Church, West Union, Iowa with Rev. Joseph M. Schneider as the Celebrant.

Military Rites will follow the Mass on Monday at the Church.

Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Chatfield, Minnesota.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.