Golby Cleigh Uhlir

Golby Cleigh Uhlir September 14, 1932 – January 14, 2025

 After living a robust lifetime of service and adventure, Golby Cleigh Uhlir, 92, of Sioux City, IA, crossed over peacefully at daybreak in his home on January 14, 2025.

 Born in Kokomo, Indiana on September 14, 1932 to George Cleigh and Gladys Eleanor (Young) Uhlir, Golby enjoyed growing up with his sister Ann in their family home on East Walnut Street. He delivered newspapers, swam in the old Seashore Swimming Pool, and cherished his modest Christmas times of the pre-WWII era. He especially loved the family trips “out West” to visit his Uhlir relatives, a clan of Czech Bohemians who pioneered and homesteaded in northeast Nebraska and southcentral South Dakota.

 Upon graduating from Kokomo High School in 1950, Golby attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN followed by an auxiliary year at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Gregarious and outgoing, he enjoyed student life and campus activities. He earned the nickname “Stretch” due to his slender 6’5” frame and learned the value of the many intrinsic benefits of higher education. He even comprised an extensive and snazzy necktie collection, which he informally rented to his fraternity colleagues for 10 cents a night so they could all look distinguished for their dates! Always an entrepreneur.

 In 1954, Golby enlisted in the US Army and served two years stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. True to his nature, he made good use of any weekend liberty. He bought a 1955 Mercedes Gullwing 300SL and won 8 races with it on the Autobahn, toured castles throughout Europe with a couple of military buddies, and attended Grace Kelly’s wedding in Monaco. He always knew how to make the most out of any experience. Honorably discharged in October of ‘56, Golby returned to the United States and utilized the G.I. Bill to attend the University of South Dakota School of Law. Unable to begin coursework until the following Fall, he accepted an interim 6-month relief teaching position in Hagerstown, Indiana where he taught high school English. He encouraged students to pursue higher education and spent weekends mentoring and touring Indiana college campuses, giving many a life changing perspective outside their small community. He cherished each of those students and reflected often about his wonderful time spent in Hagerstown.

 Golby graduated from Law School in May of 1960 and returned home to Indiana where he married Judie Kay Kern, his long-time sweetheart and past student! The two moved to Siouxland and started a family while Golby worked as a trust officer for Woodbury Bank and Trust. In 1965, an opportunity to work in urban renewal required Golby and his family to relocate to Terre Haute, IN. He loved planning and zoning and any opportunity to have a positive impact. Known as a crusader for cause, he strongly challenged Indiana Jim Crow “sundown” laws and was proud to see their abolishment during his tenure. Golby stood against all forms of civic inequity and received the Eugene V. Debs Award for his social activism.

 In 1973, Golby and his family returned to Sioux City where he settled and “hung out his shingle,” becoming a trial lawyer in South Sioux City, NE. He attained licensure in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, and practiced until his retirement in 2000. He tried cases in county, tribal, municipal, district, and federal courts and was proud of his admission to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1981; the year Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman appointed. Definitely a career high for Golby. A general practitioner, Golby represented a wide array of clients, often pro bono. His family remembers many times when he came home with jars of homemade jam, a plate of cookies, or a knitted cap and gloves in lieu of payment for his services. He loved to problem solve and beamed when “everything worked out just the way it should.” A true public servant, Golby had great respect for the rule of law and for the history of our judicial system.

 When not practicing law, Golby traveled; so much so, his wife lovingly called him “Go”. Whether it was volunteer, business, leisure, or adventure travel, Golby liked to go. He joined Rotary International and voluntarily traveled internationally to serve in numerous leadership roles. He recruited others, hosted multiple foreign exchange students, led international group study exchanges, and coordinated efforts with clubs across the US to promote goodwill and better friendships. He was appointed the District Governor of District 5610 in 1985-86 and quickly campaigned for women to be allowed AND encouraged to join Rotary. During club visitations, he was pleased to share that his South Sioux City Club was a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club, many of whom were also Major Donors. He was a committed Rotarian. Golby traveled also for business. As an avid member of the American Numismatic Association, Golby spent many weekends abroad at conventions buying and selling coins, bullion, and gems. He enjoyed meeting and trading with fellow hobbyists around the globe. When not traveling for volunteerism or business, Golby and his wife Judie traveled leisurely. They honeymooned in Peru, studied ecosystems in Ecuador, explored Europe with close companions, visited countries in the South Pacific with international acquaintances, and relaxed with friends and family in resorts throughout Mexico. Frequently, they retreated to their HideAway Acres cabin on Lewis and Clark Lake near Yankton, SD, where they watched many sunsets aboard a pontoon boat, listened to Prairie Home Companion, and enjoyed fireside chats with their close lake friends. Golby helped establish the HideAway Township and served on the association board until 2017. Since early childhood, though, Golby’s favorite travel of all was the sense of adventure he felt when heading “out West” to his roots in Knox County, NE and Lyman County, SD. He felt completely at home visiting with his Czech relatives in Verdigre, NE over a cup of coffee and a freshly baked kolache. On his drive north to Kennebec, SD, he followed the old familial cattle route between summer and winter grounds. Reminiscing fondly about the pre-interstate times of the open range cattle drives, he praised “how things used to be.” At the same time, he valued the counter-perspective of First Nations people and appreciated their lore. The Great Western Frontier had many stories to tell and history to ponder. Golby held in high regard the good stewardship and moral fiber of the dedicated ranchers and farmers of Lyman County, SD. Many long-standing relationships dating back generations connected him to his ancestral history and beyond. He loved that land, its people, and its past.

 In early 2017, his beloved wife Judie endured a stroke. Due to her ongoing recovery needs, she and Golby moved to Texas in 2018 to be near the support of family caregiving. Though their grand travel days ended, they did return to Iowa each year during the warmer months to be near friends and colleagues. On one such visit in early September of 2024, Golby broke his hip. Subsequently, he moved back to Iowa for medical care and eventual end of life needs. Family accompanied him.

 All who knew Golby, remember his storytelling. He had a story for every instant. Never without a topic, he always had time for a jovial conversation or a rousing debate. Golby was welcoming. A grateful man, he felt he had good fortune and generously shared all that he could with those interested. He adored his wife and marriage of 64 years, was a thoughtful father and responsible mentor to his children, and always considered his in-laws and relatives. He supported small businesses and sole proprietorships. He cared about his neighbors, championed anyone marginalized or less fortunate, and donated to numerous causal non-profits. He attended nearly all his class reunions and remained in contact with almost everyone he met. By most peoples’ standards, Golby was a great guy; an original, a mold-breaker. After living his full and complete bodily life on earth, it is no surprise he just decided it was time to travel on. He was “ready to take his spirit walk and join his ancestors on the great prairie of the hereafter.”

 Golby is survived by his wife, Judie Kay (Kern); his son, Grant Cleigh Uhlir (Molly) of Chicago, IL; his daughter, Karla Ann Uhlir (special friend Ross) of Austin, TX; and his grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, George Cleigh Uhlir and Gladys Eleanor (Young) Uhlir; his sister, Gladys Ann Uhlir; his infant sister Mary Uhlir, and his infant son Guy Ryan Uhlir. A warm thanks to St. Croix Hospice for their comforting presence and thoughtful reassurance. Thanks also to family friend and care assistant, Pat Calvert, for his loyal household support.

 Golby’s cremains are to be placed among his historical Czech clan at the National Cemetery in Pischelville, Knox County, NE. No formal service is scheduled. The family asks that all those who knew Golby, wherever they are, celebrate him with a thoughtful contribution or action of good will… in keeping with his robust spirit.