Robert Eugene Young

SIOUX CITY -- Robert Eugene "Geno" Young, 67, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, at his residence, comforted by family, following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Abiding by the family's wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Merlin Schrad officiating. Visitation will be 5 p.m. until service time Thursday at the funeral home.

Geno was born Feb. 24, 1942, in Sioux City, to Wilbert Young and Annie Baker. He received his elementary education at St. Joseph in Sioux City. He graduated from Boystown in Omaha in 1960. He lived in California for a short time before moving back to Sioux City. He worked several jobs before starting with the Department of Transportation in 1983 and retired in May 2009.

He was a martial arts instructor for more than 30 years and had obtained his sixth-degree black belt grand master in Taekwondo. He continued his love of martial arts by obtaining his second-degree black belt in Hapkido as well as a second-degree black belt in Judo. He used his talents to train both Sioux City and Le Mars, Iowa Police Department officers, concentrating with the Gang Units.

He is survived by his sons, Sterling Young and Joe Young, both of Sioux City; a daughter, Angela Young of Maple Grove, Minn.; his girlfriend, Denise Holiday of Sioux City; and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and grandparents.