Obituary

Robert "Bob" E. McCarley
August 17, 1931 - August 19, 2014

Robert

Robert "Bob" E. McCarley
Aug 17, 1931 - Aug 19, 2014

Robert
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Robert "Bob" McCarley, age 83, of Ames, died Aug. 19 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 5 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation, 414 Lincoln Way. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug 23, at First Baptist Church, 200 Lynn Avenue in Ames.

Bob was born August 17, 1931, in Denison, TX, the son of Howard and Gladys (Sherman) McCarley. He graduated from Denison High School in 1948 and completed his Doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Texas in 1956. He married Jenna B. Cox on November 15, 1952. He was a loving husband, father and kind-hearted member of his community.

Bob's passion for chemistry began in the science lab at Denison High School and won him many honors, awards, and international recognition. His career spanned 40+ years as a Professor of Chemistry at ISU and also included research with Ames Lab and the Max Planck Institute in Stuttgart, Germany. He was also an active volunteer, supporting causes close to his heart: Habitat for Humanity, First Baptist Church and Green Hills, among others.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jenna McCarley of Ames, his children, Carl (Bridget) McCarley of Ames, Kyanne (Phil) Danowsky of Cotopaxi, CO, Maura (Pete) Torkildson of Concord, CA, and Tonia McCarley of Ames; grandchildren, Matt McCarley, Lyndsey (Jerry) Garcia, Brian (Shelly) Danowsky, Beth (Stephen) Basham, and Megan Torkildson; three great grandchildren, Elena, Amaya, and Dylan Garcia; sister, Patsy (Charles) Watson, Denison, TX, sister-in-law Persis McCarley, Healdsburg, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack McCarley; and sisters, Barbara Gore and Jeanette McCarley.

On- line condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa at http://hfhci.org/donations/ or the Center for Creative Justice at http://www.creativejustice.org/.

Shawn Xiang Zhang on Aug 23, 2015

So sad. Several years ago I was close to having the opportunity paying Bob a short visit, after 20 years away from Ames and graduate student life there. But the delayed flight stop and just-closed boarding gate took it away from the tight schedule. Over the years I thought about a lot and enjoyed those old time and memory. Bob was kind, understanding and supportive, in lab and life alike. I will miss him very much.

Kathy Lenz on Aug 27, 2014

Jenna and Family -
So sorry to hear about Bob's passing. We enjoyed having both of you as neighbors on Diamond St. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you!

Kathy, Brad, Zoe and Zane Lenz

Bob Angelici on Aug 22, 2014

Bob was a really nice person. He always had the best interests of everyone else as his top priority. As a faculty colleague in inoranic chemistry at ISU since 1963, I saw him advise students in ways that always had their best interests in mind. When they should study harder, he told them so. When they had personal difficulties, he was understanding and supportive. He had high research expectations of his graduate students, but at the same time, he recognized that they needed his advice and counsel. His concern for others will live on in many of us.

Kwang-Hwa Lii on Aug 21, 2014

Kwang-Hwa Lii on Aug 21, 2014

CandleI am so sad to hear that Bob passed away a few days ago. We visited Bob and Jenna on August 2nd. Jenna fixed a delicious lunch for us. Bob and I talked about lots of things including the interesting chemistry of technetium. He looked happy and healthy. I enjoyed taling to him as before when I was a graduate student at ISU about 30 years ago. I am very grateful to Bob. He was a great professor not only in teaching but also in research. I will miss him very much.

Cyndie Jeffrey on Aug 21, 2014

I am so sad to say goodbye to Bob. From my time at ISU when he was my chem professor to a present friendship, my memories of Bob are warm. He was a gentle man, and a gentleman. I will miss him.

Lynette Edsall on Aug 21, 2014

Ken Talbert on Aug 20, 2014

So glad to have been a friend of Bob's through almost all the phases of my life until now. I am grateful for the warmth of Bob's smile, his kind and wise words and so many other memories he gave to me. I will carry his example with me the rest of my days. Might I offer to others as much as I move through my life. A prince of a man.

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Visitation

Aug
22
Friday
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care
414 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM


Service

Aug
23
Saturday
First Baptist Church
200 Lynn Avenue
Ames, Iowa 50014
10:00 AM


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