Robert Iverson

Robert Dale Iverson was a beloved husband, father and friend. In his own private way, Bob made things happen without drawing attention to himself. He most often preferred to stay in the background yet, at the same time, he was outgoing when it came to meeting people. He was quick to make friends and even better at making those friendships last. Robert Dale was born to Benny and Frances (Ackerberg) Iverson on April 8, 1946 in Muskegon, Michigan. It was a time of optimism in America as the country recovered from WWII. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. Robert was the youngest of three children raised by their stay-at-home mother and their father who worked at Shaw Walker producing office furniture. Sisters Marva and Judy were 12 years and 8 years older than Bob (respectively), so they were grown and out of the house during much of his childhood. Still, his early years were filled with the fun and excitement that a neighborhood full of friends could offer. Bob grew up on Southern Avenue in The Nims School neighborhood where he attended elementary school. He enjoyed the recreation that a lakeside community providedperch fishing the Muskegon channel with his mom using cane poles or ice fishing in winter with his friends. Bob became very good at ice skating as well, and though he was small, he was very speedy. Along with the fun, young Bob took his responsibilities seriously. He was a crossing guard at Nims Elementary and, at his church, Bob maintained perfect weekly attendance for 17 years running. Both his family and their church, the Swedish Evangelical Covenant Church, provided the stability that shaped Bobs character and values. Bob graduated from Muskegon High School in 1964 and went on to Muskegon Junior College for two years before transferring to Western Michigan University for another two years. During college he worked several different jobs, from Vans Service Station on Laketon Avenue to tree trimming in summer. After college he got a job as a clerk at Lakey Foundry, but the foundry closed just a year later. Eventually Bob found employment at Clark Floor Machine and learned the trade that benefited him the rest of his career. While working at Clark, Bob met the lovely Jacklyn McGrane, who socialized with the same crowd that Bob did. His friend, Jerry Wood, was already dating Jackies best friend, Carol. So Bob and Jackie decided to double date with them, and the two were together from that time on. They married on November 25, 1970, and Bob immediately became a family man with Jackies 3-year old son Dale. Bob legally adopt Dale, and in 1971, the family of three was delighted to welcome the birth of Timothy. Over the years, they enjoyed many great times together, including trips to Nashville and Dolly Partons Theme Park, but there were years when the family had to pull together around hardship. When Clark Floor Machine closed its doors, Bob was out of a job. He busied himself with work wherever he could find it, but the family experienced a few lean years. Fortunately, Jackies job with Verizon helped bridge the gap until Bob settled at Pacific Steamex, a company that made floor cleaning machines. Bob and Jackie were able to make a comfortable life for themselves that included friends and fun. They took regular vacations to Florida, and when the boys were grown, Bob and Jackie took a cruise and made other trips to such luxurious spots as Hawaii, Mexico and Las Vegas. They liked to go power boating in their 25-foot Glastron and later their 32-foot Cruiser. Weekend boat trips to Whitehall or Grand Haven were great fun, and life at Great Lake Marina, Mona Lake Boat Club and then at Harbor Town Yacht Club was always filled with friends and laughter. In addition to boating, Bob enjoyed duck hunting on Strawberry Island in Muskegon Lake. He was also an avid bowler and, for over 30 years, he bowled on leagues at North Way Lanes with his friends Larry Allore, Jerry Wood, Dick Taylor and Roger Wood. No doubt there was plenty of conversation and story telling when those friends got together. Just for fun, Bob liked to argue his point of view to see what kind of a response he could get. Friends were always an important part of Bobs life. After 15 years with Pacific Steamex, Bob retired in 2007 and he and Jackie bought his sister Judys trailer in Florida. They were looking forward to their retirement years and spending winters in Sarasota. It was while they were in Florida during the winter of 2008 that Bob fell and broke his arm. It was only then that cancer was discovered. Bobs health declined fairly quickly, and Jackie brought him back to Muskegon. Very sadly, Bob died on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the Poppen House. He was 61 years old, yet in his lifetime he touched many other lives with joy and good will. Robert D. Iverson is survived by his wife, Jacklyn; 2 sons, Dale Iverson of Muskegon and Timothy Iverson of Muskegon; 2 sisters, Marva (Ralph) Carlson and Judy (Dale) Fuller. A service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, March 20, 2008, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel in Muskegon, MI. Friends and relatives are invited to meet the family on Wednesday, 6-8 PM and Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory of Bob or to sign the online guest book.