Robert LeRoy Giddings

Robert LeRoy Giddings, 94, of Muscatine, Iowa peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at home.  Private funeral services were held at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Muscatine. Burial was at Evergreen Cemetery near Wesley, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Memorials in Robert’s name may be made to the Iowa State University Foundation, for the College of Engineering. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Robert, son of Gordon and Lottie (Hansen) Giddings, was born on August 22, 1932 at their little farmhouse, near Wesley, Iowa. His mother died when he was 13 years old, Aunt Vernalda and Uncle Theron Hansen then provided love, encouragement and fresh baked goods as Robert grew up. Life on the farm, before modern conveniences, was not easy. Robert thought he would end up farming, like his dad, but Aunt Vernalda told his future wife, “Robert’s a smart young man, he would do well at college”. Robert married the love of his life, Trieva “Trix” Bowman on September 3, 1954 in Algona, Iowa.  He adored her to the very end. Robert was a proud graduate of Iowa State University in the Class of 1957, where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Robert worked for International Harvester in Hinsdale, Illinois right after graduation and J.I. Case Company in Burlington, Iowa, Bettendorf, Iowa and Racine, Wisconsin, designing construction tractors for a majority of his career. He later moved into product safety, designing safety warning stickers and providing expert testimony in lawsuits. Bob and Trieva’s final move was to Muscatine where Bob worked in safety for HON.  He started as a poor farm boy and grew up to be leader of an engineering team. He was involved in many very successful engineering design projects and was awarded patents for his design work.

No matter where Robert and Trieva lived, they were very active in their church community, including First Presbyterian Church, Davenport and Wesley United Methodist Church, Muscatine.  Robert was on the founding board of Valley Shelter Homes in Davenport and they were in operation until 2005.

Family was everything to Robert, the family went on frequent vacations, pulling a popup camper to explore the western United States, which were a family highlight. He took lots of pictures, and supported his children’s educational, musical and other pursuits. Robert was fascinated by the Apollo space program and even woke the kids up to see man land on the moon. After retirement, he extensively researched the Giddings Family history and created a detailed family genealogy.

Robert will be missed by many, including Trieva, his beloved wife of 72 years, and by their children Steven (Deborah) Giddings, Linda Giddings, Caroline Giddings, and Paul Giddings; grandchildren Katie Bott, Hannah (Brad Knudson) Bott, Aaron (Nikki) Giddings, Amy (Gene) Senn, and Alexandra Giddings; seven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jeanette Giddings and Shirley Carlson; beloved nieces and nephews and many other extended family members.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Lottie, infant daughter Judith, and brothers Merle and Floyd Giddings.

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