Robert "Bob" "Skip" Thorson

Robert “Bob” “Skip” Thorson, 90, of Newton died on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at Accura Healthcare of Newton West.  A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 9, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, August 8, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the First United Methodist Church or the American Legion Post 111 may be left at the funeral home.

Bob, the son of Thomas and Florence (Jackson) Thorson, was born on April 5, 1927 in Newton.  He graduated from Newton High School in 1945, where he was an outstanding athlete excelling in football, track and basketball. He also served as his Senior Class President.  Following high school, Bob served his country in the U.S. Navy.

On February 22, 1947, Bob was united in marriage with LaVonne Farland in Newton.  They were blessed with three boys: Craig, Terry, and Curtis.  Bob attended Simpson College and the family later moved to California for four years where he graduated with a business degree from Fullerton College.  Upon returning to Newton, Bob worked at the Vernon Company, Dunlap Manufacturing, part-time at Coast to Coast, and then at the Maytag Company, where he would retire from, as a supervisor.    Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Post 111, the American Legion Post 111 Honor Guard, Newton Booster Club, and the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association.  He was an avid sports fan cheering on the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.  He also was a booster and supporter of the Newton Nitehawks. Bob enjoyed sprint car racing, horse racing, and rose gardening. 

Bob is survived by his three sons, Craig Thorson (Cyndi Kahn Thorson) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Terry Thorson of Newton, and Curtis Thorson of Newton; grandchildren, Cara (Chris) Iverson and Brendan “Bren” Thorson; great-grandchildren, Zane and Brielle Iversonsisters-in-law, Wilma Thorson of Des Moines and Marjorie Kilburn of West Union; brother-in-law, James Farland of Newton; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaVonne in 2007; and brother, Tom Thorson.

A special thank you to Dr. Pak and the care givers at Accura Healthcare of Newton West for the care that Bob received.

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