Robert E. Hiatt

Robert E. Hiatt

Robert Elwood Hiatt, 88, died Sunday February 4, 2007 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday February 7, 2007 at the Hope United Methodist Church, Pocahontas with the Rev. Thorne Wittstruck officiating. Interment will follow in the Summit Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time at the church.

Robert was born February 28, 1918 the son of Samuel and Margaret (Stegge) Hiatt in Pocahontas, IA. He graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1935. He continued his education at the University of Iowa where he received a degree in Journalism in 1946. He then obtained his Masters Degree in English in 1960 from the University of Iowa. Robert later taught high school English in Whiting and Maquoketa, IA.

Robert also worked for the Iowa Highway Commission and the Pocahontas County Engineer.

Robert served his country in the United States Army from 1941-1945. He served in the following four campaigns; Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Robert also received the following decorations and citations; American Defense Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, 1 Service Stripe, and 2 Overseas Service Bars. Robert was promoted in the field by General Patton from Private to Corporal.

Robert greatly enjoyed his family. He enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews participate in numerous sporting and school events. Robert also had a great love of literature and enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and following college football and basketball. Robert was a member of the Hope United Methodist Church.

Those thankful for having shared in Roberts life include his two sisters; Berniece Hiatt of Pocahontas, Louise Mercer of Watertown, MA, nieces and nephews; Patricia (Jim) Decker-Bucher of Eaton Rapids, MI, Richard (Janet) Bordwell of Clarion, IA, Ralph (Kelly) Mercer of Brewster, MA, Zonda Mercer of Cambridge, MA, Robert (Karen) Mercer of Normal, IL, James Kibbie of Ann Arbor, MI, 13 great nieces and nephews, and 14 great-great nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hiatt was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters; Jeanne Decker in 1972 and Eleanor Kibbie in 2006.

Bruce-Graham Funeral Home