Robert McDonald Kreamer, 69, of Indianola died October 1, 2010 at Iowa Methodist Hospital of cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola and interment will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Indianola.  Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m., Monday, October 4 at the First United Methodist Church with family present to greet friends from 5 – 8 p.m.

Bob was born January 5, 1941, in Sioux City, the first child of Floyd "Pete" and Helen (McDonald) Kreamer. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959 where he was a high school football All-American and first team All-State halfback on the 1958 undefeated state champion football team and was the 1959 state champion and record holder in the 220-yard dash. Bob attended the University of Iowa on a football scholarship and graduated with a B.A. degree in 1963 after lettering in both football and track and serving as president of his social fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. He graduated from the University of Iowa law school in 1966 with a J.D. degree.

Bob practiced law in Des Moines. In 1968 he was the youngest Republican elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, representing the Beaverdale area in Des Moines. He served three more terms in the Iowa House of Representatives where he was selected by his party caucus to be Assistant Majority Leader, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Assistant Minority Leader.

He was an associate and partner in the Des Moines law firm of Whitfield and Eddy for 25 years and in 1996 formed the Kreamer Law Office. Throughout his legal practice, his area of specialization was lobbying which allowed him to keep daily contact with his beloved State Capitol.

Bob was always very active in his community and served on numerous boards and positions of leadership with the YMCA of Greater Des Moines, Beaverdale Little League, Des Moines Community Playhouse, Drake Relays Executive Committee where he served as past chair and past chair of the Hospice of Central Iowa board of directors. At the time of his death, Bob was a member of the Indianola City Council, First United Methodist Church of Indianola, an inductee into the B'Nai B'rith Sports Hall of Fame, and a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Football Players' Hall of Fame. The Drake Relays occupied a very special place in Bob's heart, having run in the Drake Relays from elementary school through college. He helped repay the joy he received from competing in the Relays by finishing his 44th year as a Relays official, the last 26 years as Chief-Clerk of the Course.  In 1994 he was inducted as a member of the Drake Relays Officials Wall of Fame.

Most important to Bob was his family – he loved cooking for family dinners and attending family reunions. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities. He managed his sons' Beaverdale Little League baseball teams for 15 years and loved the opportunities it provided him to be near them.

Bob enjoyed the theatre, travel, politics, athletics and competition in all forms. Before medical reasons forced him to restrict activities, he won 12 consecutive Iowa Senior Games raquetball singles titles and participated in two National Senior Games in racquetball.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Donna; sons Todd (Katie and her children) of West Des Moines, Bradley (Mariko) of Nagano, Japan, and Andrew (Sara) of Montgomery, IL; grandchildren Maddie and Ben; brothers James (Judy) of Naperville, IL, Thomas (Jan) of Kansas City, MO, and Richard (Donna) of Osage Beach, MO; and Donna's daughters Dawn (Scott) Sams, Alison (Dan) Flaherty of Indianola and Joy Ashbaugh (Chris Wise) of Iowa City, and their children.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or First United Methodist Church in Indianola. Online condolences may be sent at www.overtonfunerals.com.