When Bob & Bonnie moved to Mason City, they purchased a home two doors up from the Blythe House. When the Blythe house became available, they immediately fell in love with it, and they purchased the home in 1964. Bob had no previous education in architecture, but he soon came to appreciate the cultural gem they happened upon which changed the course of their lives. Shortly thereafter, Professor J. William Rudd from the University of Cincinnati brought a tour group of architecture students to Mason City and asked to be able to take pictures of the Blythe House. That encounter led Bob and Bonnie to a lifetime involvement with Prairie School Architecture research and preservation. Bob referred to Prairie School architectural research as his avocation.
After reading about Walter Burley Griffin, who had moved to Australia to design Canberra, the new capital city, and finding no good historical record of Prairie School Architecture in Mason City, Bob began his local research. After several years, many correspondences and interviews of first-hand participants, Bob published an article in the Prairie School Review entitled "Rock Crest/Rock Glen: Prairie Planning in Iowa". The thoroughness of that research resulted in many correspondences from other architectural historians from across the United States and Australia. Bob then made major contributions to the restoration of the Stockman House and the Park Inn Hotel. The newly restored Stockman House was opened to the public in 1992, and Bob was the Grand Marshall of the North Iowa Band Festival Parade that year. He continued working tirelessly for the restoration of the Park Inn Hotel and establishment of the architectural Interpretive Center adjacent to the Stockman House, which now bears his name.
In addition to his orthopedic practice and his love of Prairie School architecture, Bob loved to spend time with his family and to travel. The family was able to take a vacation in South Hero, Vermont with extended family members every summer. Bonnie was his partner in all of their many adventures and travels throughout their 58 years of marriage
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Bonnie. He is survived by sons Jamie (Diane), Doug (Sue) and Andy (Julie) and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on October 30th.
To ensure that all attendees feel safe, the family requests that masks be worn. A live stream will be available. For more information go to the church's website.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be given to the River City Society for Historic Preservation, or the First Presbyterian Church.
When Bob & Bonnie moved to Mason City, they purchased a home two doors up from the Blythe House. When the Blythe house became available, they immediately fell in love with it, and they purchased the home in 1964. Bob had no previous education in architecture, but he soon came to appreciate the cultural gem they happened upon which changed the course of their lives. Shortly thereafter, Professor J. William Rudd from the University of Cincinnati brought a tour group of architecture students to Mason City and asked to be able to take pictures of the Blythe House. That encounter led Bob and Bonnie to a lifetime involvement with Prairie School Architecture research and preservation. Bob referred to Prairie School architectural research as his avocation.
After reading about Walter Burley Griffin, who had moved to Australia to design Canberra, the new capital city, and finding no good historical record of Prairie School Architecture in Mason City, Bob began his local research. After several years, many correspondences and interviews of first-hand participants, Bob published an article in the Prairie School Review entitled "Rock Crest/Rock Glen: Prairie Planning in Iowa". The thoroughness of that research resulted in many correspondences from other architectural historians from across the United States and Australia. Bob then made major contributions to the restoration of the Stockman House and the Park Inn Hotel. The newly restored Stockman House was opened to the public in 1992, and Bob was the Grand Marshall of the North Iowa Band Festival Parade that year. He continued working tirelessly for the restoration of the Park Inn Hotel and establishment of the architectural Interpretive Center adjacent to the Stockman House, which now bears his name.
In addition to his orthopedic practice and his love of Prairie School architecture, Bob loved to spend time with his family and to travel. The family was able to take a vacation in South Hero, Vermont with extended family members every summer. Bonnie was his partner in all of their many adventures and travels throughout their 58 years of marriage
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife Bonnie. He is survived by sons Jamie (Diane), Doug (Sue) and Andy (Julie) and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on October 30th.
To ensure that all attendees feel safe, the family requests that masks be worn. A live stream will be available. For more information go to the church's website.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to be given to the River City Society for Historic Preservation, or the First Presbyterian Church.
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