Robert Newland

Robert Eugene Newland, age 83, passed away Friday, January 14, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The funeral service will be at 10:00am Wednesday, January 19th at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 3601Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. Burial will be Thursday in Mt. Washington Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Robert (known as Bob to family and friends) was born September 20, 1927, to Thompson and Juanita Newland in Kansas City, Missouri. Robert served two terms of service in the United States Navy. He attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, and graduated with a baccalaureate in mathematics.

Robert was a computer programmer, technician and systems analyst starting in the very early days of computers in the 1950’s During his career he was employed at Westinghouse Corporation (Kansas City), Burroughs Corporation (Unisys) (Los Angeles, Omaha) and Northern Natural Gas Company (Omaha). Robert married Helen Mary Keller in 1947. They were married for 59 years and had three children. Throughout his life, Robert had a love of aviation and flying. He earned his private pilot’s license at age 16. In 1977, Robert retired from Northern Natural Gas, and started a flying business which grew into a short-haul airline based in Omaha, Nebraska. Robert operated this business until 1985, when he sold the firm. His hobbies included rebuilding a vintage airplane and two classic automobiles. Robert was a loving husband and father. He was always caring and attentive to the needs of his family.

Robert is survived by his sons, Thomas (Judy) of Sunrise Beach, MO, and James of Wilburton, OK; daughter Mary Helen (Phil) Nordhus of Johnston, IA; grandsons Christopher Nordhus of Ames, IA, and Andrew Nordhus of Ft. Collins, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Helen.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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