Gary Robert Altman

Gary R. Altman of Papillion, NE, age 79, formerly of Camanche, IA, died on January 8, 2022 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

Gary was born in Dubuque, IA to Ruby Kennedy Altman and Robert Altman, growing up with three beloved sisters. After graduation from Dubuque Senior High School, he enlisted in the Coast Guard where he earned the Good Conduct Medal in 1964. His favorite assignment was being stationed in Alaska, forever impressed by the beauty of the land and sea.

In 1975, Gary met and married Karen Tegeler Callahan of Albany, IL. They first met at Pearle Vision in Clinton IA, where Karen was working. You could say it was love at first sight. The blended family included her sons, Tom and Bill and his daughter, Stacy. They lived in Camanche, IA, for 15 years before moving to Bellevue, NE.

Gary worked as a purchasing agent at PCS Nitrogen/Arcadian in LaPlatte, NE, and Hawkeye Chemical in Clinton, IA. Prior jobs were at Williams White, Getty Oil, Sundstrand, and Foster Grant. He served as a Board Member for the Selective Service System for 20 years. He was a member of the American Legion Millard Post #374, and the Bellevue Lions Club.

Gary loved to cook AND he loved to eat. He had a great sense of humor, as confirmed by his many dear friends. He enjoyed teasing and bantering with everyone and telling dad jokes. He taught his kids home and auto repair skills, and taught all the grandchildren to fish. He enjoyed driving and had many convertibles and motorcycles over the years. Gary had a great love for western movies and the American Indian culture.

Gary is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen; step-sons, Tomas (Sheryl) Callahan of Countryside, IL, and William Callahan of Naples, FL; daughter, Stacy Altman Bedford of West Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Patrick Callahan of Countryside, IL, Alyssa (Logan) Anderson of Windsor Heights, IA, Timothy Callahan of St. Louis, MO, Nicholas Bedford of West Des Moines, IA, Cassandra Callahan of St. Louis, MO, Brunella Paniagua of Palmetto, FL, and Sunny Hong of Bayside, NY; sisters, Susan (Gordon) Manning of Wilton, IA, Cindy (Donnie) Hammond of Jackson, GA; first wife and Stacy’s mother, Diane Towne of Marseilles, IL; many cousins, nieces and nephews; grand-dogs, Bodie, Potato, Bella, Tito and Charlie; and grand-kitties, Felix, Livi and Maurice.

He was preceded in death by parents, Robert James Altman and Ruby Ruth Kennedy Altman, and sister Virginia Altman Williams.

Services for Gary will be private. He will be interred at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in July 2022.

The family thanks the Omaha and Des Moines VA Medical Centers for the excellent care Gary received there over many years. Donations in his memory can be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/give/ or American Legion Millard Post 374 http://post374.org/contact.shtml. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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