Obituary

Robert A. Case, age 98, a former resident of the LaPorte City/Waterloo area, died on February 25, 2025 at 3801 Retirement Campus, Des Moines, Iowa. He was born August 22, 1926 to Charles and Helen Case in Olathe, Kansas. The family moved to LaPorte City when he was four years old. In 1943, he graduated from LaPorte City High School at age 16.

Bob married Esther Langskov of Cedar Falls in 1948. They had two children, Kathy and Michael. At Esther’s death in 2017, they had been married 68 years. Bob served in the pilot program of the Army Air Force during the last two years of World War II. Flying was his passion. He owned several airplanes, including Air Force training planes, at different times in is life. He survived two airplane crashes and multiple car accidents, all of which he claimed were not his fault.

Bob farmed after World War II until 1960, when he started Case Real Estate Development. The Sunset Knolls housing project adjoining the LaPorte City High School (now Union High School) was a risky venture at the time. When he retired, many homes had been built in the development. In addition, he sold farms in the area, and later in life commented, “I should have been buying what I was selling.” At age 55, Bob and Esther began enjoying winters in Palm Springs, California, or Apache Junction, Arizona, where Bob participated in many hobbies, including shooting pool, playing poker, pickleball and golf. Over the years, he lamented, “I wasn’t much good at any of them.”

Bob is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Steve) Zumbach; granddaughter, Stephanie (Justin) Hu; grandson, Matthew (Sarah) Zumbach; and three great granddaughters, Kylee and Kenzie Hu and Leila Joy Zumbach.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; a son, Michael; his parents; a sister, Lois; and a brother, Maurice.

Bob’s well-lived life will be celebrated by his family at a later date.

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