Robert “Bob” Edward Galloway, 94, of Keosauqua died on Sunday December 11, 2022 at his home with his wife of nearly 34 years by his side. Visitation will open at 2:00PM on Thursday December 15, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua with family present from 5:00 to 7:00PM. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM Friday December 16, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Rev. Chris Brauns and Pastor Mark Caston officiating. Burial will be in Forbes Cemetery North of Keosauqua with military honors by Beer-Barker Post No. 113 American Legion.
Bob felt strongly that flowers were unnecessary and only wished for contributions to benefit children. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bob Galloway Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit students at Van Buren County High School, Culver-Stockton College or St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Bob’s name may be sent to the home at 16677 Hwy 1, Keosauqua, IA 52565
Bob was born in Mendota, Illinois on July 25, 1928 to Carl and Marie Biers Galloway. He attended Holy Cross Elementary School and Mendota Township High School before leaving to join the US Navy Reserves at 17 years of age, serving in the final months of World War II. After the war, he returned to Mendota to finish his high school education, graduating in 1946. He went on to attend Western Illinois University in Macomb, lettering in football his freshman year. Bob was drafted back into military service in 1951, serving an additional 30 months on a troop transport ship during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953.
Bob married Jacqueline Foushee on January 3, 1959 and with her raised three children. They later divorced. He married Sharon McElhinney Brauns on January 6, 1989.
As a young man, Bob held many different jobs including working on a railroad gang, at a cement factory, inspecting peas for Del Monte, washing dishes at a sorority house, and tending bar. Bob worked for 26 years as a probation officer in SE Iowa, organizing the first juvenile probation department in Lee County in 1965. He was appointed chief probation officer for Lee, Henry, Louisa, and Des Moines counties in 1969. After the state took over all county offices in 1985, he was appointed Juvenile Court Services Officer III. He established the first group home for delinquent boys in Lee County at Ft. Madison in 1972, later known as the Nancy Hunt Memorial Home for Boys. Five years later, he was instrumental in forming a group home for delinquent girls in Keokuk, the Helen Ellis Home. The job he loved most was teaching. He taught in Tiskalwa, Il, Burlington, IA, the prison in Ft. Madison, IA, Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO, and finished his teaching career at the age of 87 at Van Buren County High School in Keosauqua, IA, he continued to substitute teach until he was 90 years old. His passion for helping children outweighed all other aspects of his life. His impact on his students was so great that many maintained contact with him throughout the years, often reminding him that he had changed their lives. He taught them the importance of words, told them that they were smart, and believed in them. Recently a student from over 60 years ago, dedicated his forthcoming memoir to his mentor and friend, Bob Galloway.
Bob enjoyed bass and trout fishing, was an avid reader, writer, and lifelong learner, continuing to take classes long after completing his masters degree in British Literature from WIU.
Bob was elected to and served on several boards and organizations, including the Keokuk City Council, Keokuk Public Library Board, Limited Resources Council, Keokuk Fine Arts Council, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Rotary Club, Lee County Youth Services, Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa (LDA-I), and Van Buren Historical Society,
Bob was baptized and brought up in the Catholic Church. As an adult, he received believer’s baptism at First Baptist Church in Keokuk, IA. and most recently attended services at the Bonaparte Baptist Church. Although he had placed his faith in his savior Jesus Christ at the time of his baptism, he grew steadily and his faith deepened for the remainder of his life. Because of this, he faced death without fear. (Hebrews 2:14-16)
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his sister, Marge of Grayslake, Il, his children, Stanley (Magaly) Bouslog of Friendswood, TX, Angela Galloway Ketteman of Quincy, Il, and Gregory (Gina Maolucci) Galloway of West Cornwall, CT. His grandchildren Miguel Herrera, Trevor Ketteman, Yosi, Jared, and Zachary Bouslog. His step-children, Shelley (Mark) Carter, Chris (Jamie) Brauns, MaryDawn (Richard Kotite) Schuck, Danny (Angie) Brauns, Rusty Brauns, and Erin (Chad) Foerch. 19 step-grandchildren, and 8 step-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends from coast to coast.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rebecca Marie, his parents, and six brothers, Francis, Jim, Paul, Kenny, Jack, and Carl Jr.