Obituary of Robert Lathrop

A Memorial Service for Robert Lathrop, age 89, of Milford will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 10:30am at Calvary United Methodist Church in Arnolds Park. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:30-10:30am at the church in Arnolds Park. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the church or the Shayla Bee Fund (a fund to give financial assistance to working class families with a child in medical crisis), Donate Now | Shayla Bee Fund or 602 4th Ave SE Spencer, IA 51301. 

Robert (Bob) Clarence Lathrop was born on August 14, 1933 to Byron and Anne Lathrop in Havelock, Iowa. He grew up in Havelock where he was the youngest: he had 5 older sisters to keep him in line! After attending school in Havelock, Bob went to Iowa State for a year and then volunteered in the Army for 2 years. He was a Korean War veteran. He then attended Morningside College for a year. Bob married Nancy Leigh on August 19, 1956 and they were married for over 65 years. They raised daughters Karrie and Rhonda.  The family first resided near Havelock where they farmed for 5 years. They moved several times—but lived primarily in Spencer, outside of Dickens, in Springfield, SD, and Brookings, SD where he managed local coop elevators, moving to Arnolds Park after retirement in 2000. He was very proud of serving on the Board of Directors of Ag Processors (AGP) from 1992-1996.

Bob was always a person who could make connections. He would strike up a conversation with everyone he met. He and Nancy were adventurers – they loved to travel, and usually took the alternative, scenic route. He had a competitive streak, especially loving to play cards (and win, of course). He was also a woodworker as well as a ‘fixer’:  if it could be fixed, why buy a new one!  And he always liked to be on time – which meant all should be ready to go 20 minutes early. He was a quick wit, finding the humor in life.  

Bob passed away on July 9, 2023 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a short illness.

He is survived by daughters Karrie (Steve) Mullenberg, Rhonda (Randy) Koenig, as well as grandchildren Jessica (Corley) Abel, Nichole (Mark) Thompson, and Benjamin Koenig. His great-grandchildren are Connor, Ava, Braylee, Finley, Ivan, Carver, and Drew. He is also survived by two sisters: Dorothy Runneberg of Laurens and Marilyn Riopelle of Houston, TX as well as sister-in-law Loryl Cole from Boone, Iowa.  Many nieces, nephews, and friends are also left to cherish his memory.