Robert Dean McNew Obituary

Robert "Bob" Dean McNew 85, of Lexington, Kentucky passed away peacefully at home on June 27, 2024.

The son of Ray and Thelma (Eckwall) McNew, Bob was born February 19, 1939, in Fairfield Iowa. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1957, Parsons College in 1961, and received his Masters from the University of Northern Colorado in 1964. He married Ann Peck on October 25, 1958, in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa.

Bob enjoyed 38 years as an educator and coach. He taught physical education, coached football and other sports as needed, at the Iowa communities of Humboldt, Maquoketa, South Winneshiek of Calmar, Crestwood of Howard Winneshiek in Cresco, and Lea College in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He compared sports to the Game of Life: "It's not if you win or lose, but how you play the game.". Teaching the 'total' person was important to him, not just coaching up their athletic abilities. He was a sports enthusiast, badminton player extraordinaire, loved music, and regretted not playing the piano. He was an honored member of the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame and served a term as President of the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He proudly served in the Iowa National Guard for seven years.

In retirement Bob and Ann moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2001. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, volunteering at University of Arkansas track meets and LPGA golf tournaments, and church leadership as "take a knee Bob". They moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 2020 to be closer to family.

Bob will be greatly missed by Ann his wife of 65 years, their children Curt (Scheila) of Eaton Ohio, Doug (Charlotte) of Ames Iowa, and Sheri of Lexington Kentucky, their grandsons (Rob (Kayla), Daniel, and Charles (Markee) all of New Lebanon Ohio, and their great grandchildren James, Bethany, Nancie Mae, Isabel, Brody, Isaac, and Adalynn.

The family would like to thank Bluegrass Hospice Care and Comfort Keepers for their care and support. Bob was proceeded in death by his parents Ray and Thelma McNew.

A Celebration of Life will be held July 13 from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Fairfield Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2271 at 121 East Broadway Avenue followed by a graveside service at 3 pm at the Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery at 1510 East Stone Avenue.

Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.