Robert E. Pace

Robert Edwin "Bob" Pace of Sioux City died Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, from complications following surgery. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Indian Mission Church, Center and West Sixth Street, in Sioux City. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, 6605 Morningside Avenue. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Robert Edwin "Bob" Pace was born July 19, 1921, in Sioux City, the eldest son of Glen and Elva (Stevens) Pace. A lifetime resident of Sioux City, he graduated from Central High School in 1938. He enlisted in the Iowa National Guard and was mobilized for federal military service on Feb. 10, 1941, and deployed to the European Theater in 1942. He married Betty Lorain Poe on June 9, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo., after a short engagement. The couple returned to Sioux City the same year to start a family. He worked for 45 years as a architectural draftsman for a local Sioux City firm. To Bob, country, community and family were all important. He was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, serving as post commander and district coordinator for the Voice of Democracy Program. He also participated in the Boy Scouts of America Program in the Siouxland area as a cub master, scout master, explorer advisor and received the Boy Scouts of America highest award for service, the Silver Beaver in 1960. He coached youth softball in the city through the SYA program for many years. As an active member of the Episcopal Church for more than 50 years, he taught Sunday School, conducted acolyte training, was a lay reader and served as church treasurer. Family, country, community and church will surely miss him. His civic commitment and dedication to family set a positive example for others to follow. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Betty Lorain (Poe) Pace; his sons, Stephen of Chandler, Ariz., Kelly and his wife, Melissa and Christopher and his companion, Sue all of Sioux City; his daughters, Judith of Denton, Texas, Carla of Sioux City and a special daughter at heart,Cherie of Sioux City; a sister, Shirley Bockelman of Anaheim, Calif.; 19 grandchildren, Michelle, Kenneth, Molly, Rob, Lee, Nathan, Robin, Nicole, Jessica, Derek, Robert, Michael, Josephine, Deven, Cheyenne, Dakota, Draven, Taylor and Sophia; 14 great-grandchildren, Ryan, Kristina, Chance, Stephanie, Jordan, Kenneth, McKenzie, Anthony, Keigan, Kehonia, Tavon, Samara, Sakari and Noah; and a great-great-granddaughter, Kaylie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Elva; and his brothers, Richard and Frederick.