Robert J. McCauley, Jr

Heaven is on alert now that the McCauley brothers are reunited following the death of Bob, 82, on March 28, 2023 in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Robert James McCauley, Jr., was born Dec. 17, 1940 to Robert and Rose (Harrison) McCauley in Des Moines, Iowa. Bob personified the American Dream – living a life filled with family, love, friendly competitions and enjoying life to its fullest. He grew up in Des Moines, attending Warren Harding Junior High School and North High School where he excelled on the football field, baseball diamond and basketball court becoming an all-state athlete in 1958 and was inducted into both schools’ athletic Halls of Fame. His athletic exploits earned him the opportunity to play all three sports at the University of Iowa where he was the self-proclaimed captain of the Hawkeye Drinking Team but, more importantly, was a quarterback under legendary Iowa coach Forest Evashevski; part of Coach Sharm Scheuerman’s “Hustlin’ Hawkeyes” men’s basketball teams of the early 1960s and served as a pitcher and first baseman during the Hawkeyes’ spring baseball season.

Injuries from all three sports took their toll so after Bob graduated from the University of Iowa in 1964, he traded the locker room for the board room, excelling in the insurance business as a senior vice president and shareholder of Holmes Murphy in Des Moines for several years.

When he wasn’t busy with sports or putting together insurance policies, he loved being at the family’s lake house out on Lake Panorama or teeing it up on any golf course that had fairways, greens, and a 19th hole. He was president of the Polk County I-Club, a member of the President’s Club of the University of Iowa, B’nai B’rith Athletes Hall of Fame, and the National Varsity Club.

While Bob loved the Hawkeyes and the lure of playing in the El NoNo golf event he helped create with friend David Dirks, nothing could surpass his love of friends and family. Bob is survived by his children, Kristin McCauley of Des Moines, Robert “RJ” McCauley III of Urbandale, Iowa, Erin (Jake) Eastin of Grimes, Iowa, Anthony “Tony” (Misty) Lovejoy of DeSoto, Iowa, Phil (Cheryl) Carter of Waverly, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; long-time companion Rheta Schenkelberg; sister, Diane McCauley; sister-in-law, Mary McCauley; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick McCauley.

Though this is a difficult time for the family, they are forever uplifted with memories of Bob’s wonderful sense of humor, his unique wardrobe consisting of Hawkeyes shirts or pullovers with “jorts,” and his unparalleled storytelling. A Celebration of Life will be held at Christopher’s Restaurant, 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to ARL in loving memory of Bob and online condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHomes.com.

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