Dr. Robert Eugene Claus, 83, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday, March 2, 2012, at Buchanan County Health Center Long-term care unit, Independence, Iowa, after a brief illness. Born in Toledo, Ohio, on July 19, 1928, to Harold Adam and Garnett Agnes (Davis) Claus, he moved with his family to Clinton, Iowa, in April 1940. He married Beverly Jeannine Purvis on November 28, 1958, in Iowa City, Iowa. She preceded him in death on June 8, 1997. Bob is survived by his many friends and relatives. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1946, and from Iowa State Teachers College with a bachelor's degree in 1950.
He worked for Clinton Broadcasting and Curtis Companies before enlisting in the U. S. Army in 1952. He served tours of duty in Japan and Korea and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge while stationed with the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Professor Claus earned his master's degree and Ph. D. from the University of Iowa. He returned to the University of Northern Iowa (then State College of Iowa, and formerly Iowa State Teachers College) where he joined the faculty and taught in the Sociology Department for thirty-seven years, retiring in 1992.
Dr. Claus was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, loved cars, and being near the water. He enjoyed people very much, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all those who know him. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at the Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls. A service to celebrate Dr. Claus's life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Reverend Mark Eggleston officiating. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls. Full military honors will be provided by the Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49 and the Iowa Army National Guard. Memorial contributions may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Cedar Bend Humane Society, or the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be left at the Richardson Funeral Service website.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded March 5, 2012.