Robert L. “Bob” Stephany, 90, died on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at his home in Woodbine. He was born on March 24, 1935, to Howard and Donnabelle (Mefferd) Stephany in Woodbine. He attended Woodbine public school and graduated class Valedictorian in 1953. Bob received the State of Iowa Scholarship to Colorado School of Mines and attended for one year. He then enrolled at Iowa State University and graduated with his degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1957. At that time, he was also awarded his commission as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Bob completed basic officer training in 1958 and was then assigned to service in Korea, where he served as Company Commander, 8th Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Calvary Division. Upon completion of his service in Korea, he was assigned to a Construction Engineer Battalion at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. and given the responsibility as the officer in charge of re-constructing the two runways at Ft. Leonard Wood Airfield. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1959, Bob returned to his previous employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission where he earned his professional license in highway engineering and served as Resident Construction Engineer in Jefferson.
In 1964, Bob joined the firm Boswell Contracting Corp. where he achieved the position of Vice President and Treasurer. He was instrumental in the corporation’s growth and versatility. Bob served the company until 1985 when it was sold. He was then hired as General Manager for the Campbell County Public Land Board, who were in the process of developing a multimillion dollar civic and recreational complex in Gillette, Wyo. He immediately put this project on fast track, hiring the required Architect and Engineers for design and construction management, as well as developing the future operational management teams. The project was near completion in 1990. Bob then joined in a partnership with Lundell Construction Co. and started a new construction business in Tempe, Ariz. Under his leadership the company grew and prospered until 1996. Bob then formed a private consulting business assisting other contractors with disposition of their claims against contracting agencies, in the Pheonix, Ariz. area.
Bob was united in marriage on June 3, 1961, to Dorothy Dahl and they were blessed with five children, Lisa, Scott, Linda, Lori and Lea Ann. On Feb. 1, 1986, he was united in marriage to Ramona Reeb in Gillette, Wyo. and they added her three children, Raymond, Laura and Troy into the family. Bob served as President and on the Board of Directors of the H. W. Chapter of the Iowa Engineering Society and the Arizona Underground Contractors Association. He also served on the Board of Directors at the Iowa Concrete Pouring Association and was a member of the Associated General Contractors Association. In 2006, Bob moved back to Woodbine to enjoy his retirement. During this time, Bob worked part time for Kirkham Michael engineering doing marketing across Iowa. He also served on the Woodbine City Council and brought the Main Street program to Woodbine. Bob loved to fish, play golf, hunt birds and was a voracious reader. He and Ramona spent many weeks on Lake of the Woods and Cranberry Portage in Canada. He also fished the inland passage of the Pacific Ocean in both Canada and Alaska.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis (Mary Lou) Stephany; and son-in-law, Kurt Bremer. He is survived by his wife, Ramona Stephany of Woodbine; children, Lisa Stephany (Rod Thompson) of Ankeny, Robert Scott (Diane) Stephany of Huxley, Linda (Max) Wilker of Urbandale, Lori Bremer of Apple Valley, Minn. and Lea Ann (Jack) DeLeon of Des Moines; five grandchildren, Katie (Joel) Miller, Nathan Stephany, Rachel Stephany, Emma Wilker and Sophia Wilker; siblings, Dean (Catherine) Stephany and Mary Kay (Robert) Eby all of Woodbine; step-children, Raymond (Kris) Reeb, Laura (Tony) Ranz and Troy Reeb; step-grandchildren, Tyler (Kate) Reeb, Spencer Reeb, Payton Reeb, Joshua Ranz and Alexa Ranz; step-great-grandchildren, Sophie Reeb and Jack Reeb; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Woodbine. Rev. Samuel Danso was the Celebrant. The musicians were Mary Kay Eby and Marilyn Boustead. The honorary pallbearers were John Adams, Joshua Ranz, Spencer Reeb, Tyler Reeb, the late Donald Shaw, Ronald Slagel, Richard Soukup, Brian Stephany, Mark Stephany and Craig VanThuyne. The pallbearers were John Eby, Nathan Stephany, Robert F. Stephany, Thomas Stephany, Timothy Stephany and William Stephany. Military Rites were performed by Woodbine American Legion Post # 143. Bob’s final resting place is at the Woodbine Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
