Obituary of Robert Hicks

Robert L. “Bob” Hicks, age 88 of Iowa City died Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 to 3pm Sunday, December 14^th. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service concluding at 3pm with a funeral service at the funeral home.  Private graveside services will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City.  To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Robert Leon Hicks was born April 23, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of George W. and Dorothy H. (Routson) Hicks.  Following graduation from West Milton, OH high school he attended and graduated from General Motors Institute (GMI) with his degree in mechanical engineering. He began a career as a mechanical engineer with Inland Manufacturing in Ohio, until receiving a call from the former Sheller-Globe Corporation wanting him to move to Keokuk, Iowa.  This began a 27 year career with them, becoming the plant manager of the Keokuk and Iowa City manufacturing plants.  Company changed ownership, Bob made the decision not to retire just yet, but spent the next seven years with Oral-B as Engineering Manager.  Now ready to retire at the age of 60, he became the farmer of his dreams, ever since he was 14 he wanted to be a farmer.  Timing was everything because he was able to have 8 farms and 15 beef cows and able to go to the farm everyday until the last weeks!

Bob enjoyed life along the way! With his marriage to Phyllis A. Thomas in Ohio on April 30, 1960, many good things blessed his lifetime.  With the births of their two children, George and Debbie, Bob and Phyllis were busy and happy.  Then came marriages and grandchildren and most recently a great-granddaughter.  All joys in their lives.  Bob not only enjoyed family, but his many friends he made along the way he cherished, many until his death.  He was known to like his golf, bowling, travels with Phyllis and family, winters in Florida, and so much more.  He would say that he was blessed with good health, great opportunities, family, friends and of course his farming that made his life complete.

His family includes his wife, Phyllis, son and his wife, George and Shelly Hicks; daughter, Debbie Hicks Cook; grandsons and their wives, Tyler and Ashley Hicks and Brandon and Katelyn Hicks; and his great-granddaughter, Oaklyn Hicks.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Norma Jean McKibben.