King-Lynk Funeral Home obituary - Robert Dean Toops, 91, of Fort Madison

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Robert Dean Toops, 91, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019 with his only son, Jeff, by his side at the Montrose Health Center. “Dean” was a life-long resident of Fort Madison, Iowa, graduating from Ft. Madison High School in 1946. He married his high school sweetheart, JoAn K. Roof on June 2, 1951. Dean and JoAn were married 54 and ½ years until her passing on November 30, 2005.

TOOPS

Playing music was foremost in Dean’s life as he started his musical “career” in grade school and was playing clarinet in the Ft. Madison City Band when he was in 8th grade and continued playing with City Band until the early 1980's. Dean enjoyed playing both saxophone and clarinet as he went on to play in many area bands and road bands. He eventually formed his own band in 1970 called “The Commanders” which played all over the Tri-State area including many clubs, senior centers and riverboats.

Dean worked for forty plus years at Sheaffer Eaton Textron where he was a Quality Control Engineer for 25 years. Dean was a veteran of the 34th Division of the Iowa National Guard, serving nine years in the 113AAA Battalion. He was on active duty for a year and a half (and honorary member) of the 7th Armored Division.

Dean was a 50-year member of the Stella Masonic Lodge 646 and a 50-year member of the American Federation of Musicians #265 out of Quincy, Il.

He is survived by his son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Robin and two grandsons, Maxwell and Seth all of North Huntingdon, PA; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1-brother & 1-sister.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. No services are planned at this time. Online condolences to Dean’s family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.

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