Robert McCoy

Robert F. McCoy, 77, of Waukon died Friday, June 21, 2019 at his home. Memorial services with military honors will be held Wednesday, June 26 at 12 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services Wednesday at the funeral home.

Robert Francis McCoy was born July 20, 1941 in Waukon, the son of Bernard Gayle and Alborg Johanna (Peterson) McCoy. He was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School. Bob went to work for Rogness Logging for a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1963-1967, stationed mainly in Baker City, OR, as a radio commander at the radar station. During this time, Bob had the opportunity to go to California to work on the set of “Paint Your Wagon”. While he never got to personally meet Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood, his job was to drive a bus full of hippies to and from set.

Bob returned home to Waukon after being discharged and worked for Northern Engraving for 36 years as their electrician and maintenance man. When the factory closed in 2008, Bob fully retired. December 31, 1999, Bob married Sandra Jean Ellefson Smerud in Decorah.

Bob loved nothing more than to be outdoors, especially fishing, boating and deer hunting. He also liked cutting and hauling wood and going to Mt. Ida in Lansing to take in the view. Bob enjoyed spending time with family and his friend, Joe Burke, who helped him chop wood, mow, and with other maintenance things. Bob was also a car guy and one of his most prized possessions was a 1972 gold Ford he used to own. Every Wednesday, he would get together with classmates for coffee and was looking forward to his 60th class reunion this year.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Waukon; two nephews: Gary and Randy McCoy, both of Elkhart, TX; three step-grandchildren: Jeremy (Jenny), Josh and Kayla (Marshall) Waters; six step-great-grandchildren: Brayden, Mason, James, Kaylee, Capri and Breck; and two brothers-in-law: Charles Ellefson of Lansing and Raymond (Pam) Ellefson of Prairie du Chien, WI.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Roger (Modine) McCoy; his half-brother, Gerald Leiran; his stepdaughter, Kelly Smerud Deeney; and his brother-in-law, Richard Ellefson.

Honorary casketbearers are Jeremy, Josh and Kayla Waters and the Class of 1959. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.