Robert D. Bane

September 30, 1924 - March 30, 2017

Robert D. Bane was born September 30, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Tommy D. and Pauline C. (Metcalf) Bane, and the grandson of Daniel , Jr. and Myrtle (Brown) Bane, and Charles J. and Della (Stradley) Metcalf. He grew up on the century + farm one mile south of Pleasantville, in Marion County, Iowa. During his school years he was active in 4-H and showing award-winning purebred Angus cattle at local, state and national levels. He graduated from Pleasantville High School in 1942 and attended Iowa State University before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in September, 1946. He trained at the San Diego Recruit Depot and spent most of the two year non-combat enlistment with the Main Gate Detachment at the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Navy Yard. The farm boy from Iowa called Hawaii "paradise". Having enlisted in the Inactive Reserve when he was discharged from the World War II service, he was recalled to active duty in November, 1950 at the outbreak of the Korean War. He served duty with a rifle platoon of Dog Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and was a part of spring and summer combat campaigns. He was a sergeant and squad leader when he was honorably discharged at the end of the extended reserve enlistment. His children relate that their dad never glorified war, but instilled a need for a deep level of respect and honor for veterans and soldiers for their past and present sacrifices for this country's freedom. Bob was a longtime member of the American Legion, Post 108 and in his later years, he enjoyed a rekindling of comradeship with his Marine Corps buddies, scattered across the U.S., through cards and letters, phone calls and group reunions. After being discharged in September 1951, he returned to the family farm and was in partnership with his father until the late 1970's, when his father retired. Robert continued to farm until his own retirement after the 1992 crop was harvested. Robert D. Bane and B. Anne Campbell were engaged in July, 1952 and married on October 19, 1952 at First Methodist Church in Toledo, Iowa. They were to become parents of two children - Joanne and Alan Daniel. They were married nearly 59 years and lived their entire married life on the family farm. Bob was active in the Pleasantville community. Early in their marriage , Bob was a 4-H leader. As an active member of church, he served as an elder, deacon, and youth group leader with Anne. In 1968, when the local two Christian (Disciples of Christ) churches, Pleasantville & Fairview, formed a yoked parish he served on the parish council, and through that group helped to hire various shared ministers, developing "close as family" ties with them and their families. He also served on the Pleasantville Community School District school board from 1964-1970. Bob centered his life upon faith, family and friends. He enjoyed telling anecdotes and memories, appreciated and cared for the earth, enjoyed feeding cardinals and other birds, and especially loved dogs, refused to eat chicken or anything with feathers, liked to listen to music, mostly swing and jazz dance music of his younger days, bluegrass, the music of James Last, and even the Bee Gees. He was an devoted fan of Cyclone sports. In addition to his parents and infant brother, Charles Leo, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Anne, in 2011. Bob passed away Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Taylor Hospice House in DesMoines at the age of 92 years. Those left to cherish Bob's memory and his life include his daughter, Joanne (Dwight) McKay of Pleasantville; son, Alan of Troy, Illinois; grandson, Daniel Hancock of Ames; sister, Marilee Wyatt of St. James, Minnesota, nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends. Funeral services for Bob Bane, age 92 of Pleasantville, will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Mason Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Pleasantville cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will begin after 12:00 p.m. Monday at the Mason Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Pleasantville Christian Church or to the Pleasantville American Legion Post No. 108.