Robert Eugene Whitlock, 90, of Indianola, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at The Village.

Bob was born on July 30, 1936, at home in Avery, Iowa to Elmer and Berneice Whitlock. He was the youngest of five children. Bob attended the Avery school system and graduated from Albia High School. Upon graduation, he had special memories working in Galesburg, IL while living with his Aunt Mary. The following October he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attended bootcamp and was assigned to the aviation school in Norman, Oklahoma. Once finished, he was assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet in the far East, including duty stations in San Diego, CA, Atsugi, Japan, the USS Essex aircraft carrier and Jacksonville, FL. He maintained the electrical systems on the aircrafts that carried the atomic bomb.

Bob met his bride, Emma, in high school, and during leave, they married in June 1957. After discharge, Bob started his professional career in Des Moines as a structural steel draftsman and continued in the construction industry until retirement as a senior project manager for a general contractor. Bob and Emma decided to raise their family in Indianola and lived on South Howard Street for over 60 years, before they moved to The Village.

Bob volunteered in many capacities for the Indianola community and participated in many clubs, including Rotary, Y’s Men, Book Club, and Garden Club. His fascination to collect artifacts relating to trains and railroad memorabilia represents the legacy of his father’s career as a laborer with the CB&Q Railroad. He was a man of deep faith and served on many committees for the First United Methodist Church.

After retirement, he added new hobbies, taking art classes and learning how to make wine just to name a few. And you can always count on him to play a game of cribbage, golf or bring silly games to the many potlucks with friends and neighbors. He very much enjoyed his grandchildren and was very proud as he shared many stores and wisdom along the way. The family was altogether to celebrate his 90th birthday this past July.

Bob is survived by his children, Douglas (Susan) Whitlock of Indianola, Iowa, Christina Monahan of Pensacola, Florida, Penelope (Doug) Kumm of Johnston, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kelsey (Adam) Sullivan of Des Moines, Iowa, Tyler Kumm of West Des Moines, Iowa, Riley Monahan, Brady Monahan and Jordan (Richie Harper) Monahan of Kansas City, Missouri, Allyson (Matt) Monahan-Hall of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Andrea (James) Camp of Norwalk, Iowa; four great-grandchildren, Roman, Rory and Remy Sullivan; Lily Camp; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Emma; parents; siblings, Helen, Goldie, Elmer Jr. (Leroy) and Clyde.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Indianola First United Methodist Church. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to service at the church.

Memorials in memory of Bob may be given to the Indianola Rotary Club to help with the elimination of Polio.