Robert J. “Bob” Hughes, 84, of Delmar, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 4, 2019, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

A funeral mass celebrating Robert’s life will be held at 10 A.M., Saturday, June 8, 2019, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Delmar, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 P.M., Friday, June 7, 2019, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Delmar, Iowa. Burial will be at the St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Delmar, with military honors. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Joseph Hughes was born on March 22, 1935 in Rural Elwood, Iowa, to Leo and Madeline (LaFayette) Hughes. He was a 1953 graduate of Elwood High School and then entered the U.S. Navy where he honorably served his country being stationed on the USS Destroyer Dashiell. He married Barbara Ellen Wilcox on November 26, 1955 in Delmar, Iowa. Together they had three children: Mark, Cindy and Brian.

“Bob” was a lifelong farmer. He grew up on the family farm in rural Elwood, then moved to Fall River, Massachusetts with his wife Barbara while in the Navy, and upon receiving an honorable discharge, then returned back to the family farm where he lived the remainder of his life.

“Bob” was a member of the Delmar Lions Club, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Menzo Widle American Legion Post #381 of Lost Nation, and in earlier years the Naval Reserve Unit.

“Bob” enjoyed playing cards, rooting for the Chicago Cubs, celebrating his Irish heritage, and traveling with his wife Barbara with a favorite trip being a cruise through the Panama Canal. He always had a joke or story to tell and made new friends wherever he went. He especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Barbara Hughes of Delmar, IA; children, Mark (Michelle) Hughes of Maquoketa, IA, Cindy Hughes (Alan) Chittick of Waunakee, WI, and Brian (Wanda) Hughes of Delmar, IA; 5 grandchildren, Jason (Cailey), Levi, and Bobbie Hughes, Emily and Jesse Chittick; 4 great-grandchildren, Aida, Haiden, and Colt Hughes, and Kaia Chittick; brothers, Paul (Denyse) Hughes of Maquoketa, IA, Dr. Thomas (Mary) Hughes of Geneseo, IL and Dennis (Debbie) Hughes of Park View, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Donald Hughes, and 2 grandchildren, Molly and Elizabeth Hughes.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Robert J. “Bob” Hughes memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.