Robert 'Bob' Louis Coen

ROBERT "BOB" LOUIS COEN

Burlington

Robert "Bob" Louis Coen, 83, of Burlington, passed away while surrounded by family on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at University of Iowa Hospitals.

Born July 6, 1937, in Burlington, IA, Robert was the first child of Louis and Virginia (Springsteen) Coen.

Bob was a 1956 graduate of Burlington Catholic High School, where he was senior class vice president and played basketball. Upon graduation, he traveled for a time before he embarked on his lifelong career in construction as a heavy equipment operator, retiring at the age of 79. On Aug. 8, 1959, he was united in marriage to Goldie LuEllen Woodsmall in Mount Pleasant, IA.

Bob was a storyteller and hard worker who loved a cup of black coffee, history, the Iowa Hawkeyes, staying current in world events, and sitting in his lawn chair enjoying the music of the Burlington Municipal Band on summer evenings in Crapo Park. Most importantly, he cherished time with his loved ones, often attending his children's and grandchildren's events and playing endless card games with his aunts and uncles. He will be greatly missed by his family.

He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church where he attended daily Mass, as well as a member of the Engineers Local 537 Union.

Bob is survived by his wife, Goldie Coen of Burlington, IA; children, Joe (Linda) Coen of Newton, IA, Andrew Coen, Patrick (Jennifer) Coen and Jean Coen of Burlington, IA, and Stephen (Vionelkis) Coen of Holland, MI; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

His parents, daughter Jewell Ashraf, sisters Patricia Carmen and Judy Abrisz, and brother Thomas Coen, preceded him in death.

Robert graciously donated his body to the University of Iowa for teaching and research purposes. His body will be cremated and his ashes will be spread at a later date.