Robert Mussehl
February 26, 1922 ~ November 25, 2011
Robert J. Mussehl age 89 of Nashua died Friday, November 25, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice in Mason City.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church, Nashua with Pastor Thomas Hagen presiding.
Interment with military honors will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua.
Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the funeral at the church on Wednesday.
Robert Mussehl was born in Dubuque, Iowa on May 26, 1922, the son of John Edward and Hazel Mussehl.
He grew up enjoying the outdoors with his favorite pastimes being fishing and hunting. His interest in music began in grade school and continued into high school where he was drum major in marching band and concert master in orchestra. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Dubuque where he met Mary, his late wife of 68 years.
He enlisted in the United States Army in March of 1943. Robert and Mary were married at the University of Dubuque chapel on July 9, 1943. When the war ended he was selected to attend the Biarritz American University in France where he took courses and played in the orchestra. He was honorably discharged from the army as a staff sergeant on May 4, 1946.
Robert returned home and finished college. He and Mary moved to Nashua, Iowa, where he began teaching and they raised their three daughters. In 1963 Robert began selling insurance for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance which he did until he retired.
Robert was a devoted husband and a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. His big passion was fishing. He also served as Grand Master in the Masonic Lodge and was involved in Eastern Star. He helped to form and was the Director of the Nashua Diplomats Drum and Bugle Corps. Robert became very involved in the restoration of the damn and lake at Nashua.
Survivors include three daughters, Susan (Paul) Taylor of Zwingle, Iowa, Ann Wood of Mason City and Sally Staveley (Gary Hoffmann) of Dyersville, Iowa; five grandchildren, Troy Wood, Brent Wood, Nicole Molencamp, Sara Soto and Zachary Taylor; three great grandchildren, Carson, Autumn and Zhane; and one brother, Milton Mussehl of Story City, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, John and Hazel Mussehl and step mother, Mae Mussehl.
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Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob were such special people. I am so glad that they are together again, and no longer suffering. I am thankful that I was able to get Dad to the service, and to see my cousins again. Love, Jean
You will be missed Uncle Bob! I am certain you and Mary are happy to be together once again… Loved you both.. and cherish the visits to your house… 🙂 Sherri
Dear Susan, Ann & Sally ~ Heard of your dad’s death when we were in Missouri. So sorry. Know that we are holding you all ~ gently ~ in our hearts… Karel & Bob Cline
Sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. He was a great person and band director. I use to tease him that the drums were out of tune. Maybe he can get them in tune now!
my Prayers are with your family at this time. Bob was one of my favorite customers at the Bradford House. Always had a smile and we had some good laughs. His singing voice was totally amazing. He will be sorely missed.
Just wanted to tell you what a very great guy your Dad was. He sold us insurance through many years. Our son was quite young and when your dad came he always had to find his plastic pipe so he could be just like Bob. Even though it always managed to cost us (for insurance) we still enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed! Our deepest sympathy to your families
I was so sorry to hear about Robert. Seems like he lived a full life. And I am sure your family has many wonderful memories of him. At times like this the Bible comforts me so much. Jesus said in John 5:28&29 there would come a time when those in the memorial tombs would hear his voice and come out. This would also be at a time when Revelation 21:3&4 says there will be no more tears, pain or death. This would all happen when God’s Kingdom comes, the same kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray for in the Lord’s Prayer. What a wonderful prospect for Robert and all those in the memorial tombs now. We express our deepest sympathy. We hope you find comfort in this time of loss.
For the Mussehl Family I am truly sorry to read of the passing of my best Band Director. Bob has been a liife long inspiration to me. I am proud to say that he was a good friend as well as a great teacher. Jim Nelson
Sue & Paul Sue, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death. May he enjoy eternal life after all the suffering he endured the last years of his life. Prayers are with you. love Ken & Jane
My sincere sympathy to the family. I was a percussionist in the band at Nashua High School from 1954 – 1959. So many life lessons came from being a member of the band and learning to work together. Mr. Mussehl taught us discipline, diligence, and insisted on excellence. It was imperative that each person carried his/her share of the load. He was a tough task-master (or was it Drill Sargeant?) and so we were an excellent band, earning Division I’s at contest year after year. He instilled a strong work ethic in us and as a result we enjoyed the pride that comes from being number ONE! I’ll never forget coming back from contest and marching down Main Street – so very PROUD of our accomplishment! And when others praised him or patted him on the back, he always turned the compliment back to us, saying we had done the work. He had high expectations, but when we met them we enjoyed the pride in a job well done. I’ve applied those same values in life situations over and over again – and I’ve often thought fondly of Mr. Mussehl and what he taught me. In addition, Mr. Mussehl was a wonderful friend to my Dad, especially during some difficult times in my Dad’s life. Bob stood by him. They both enjoyed hunting and fishing and each other’s company. I’ll always be grateful to him for that. He was a wonderful teacher and a great role model. And may I say, one of the handsomest men I had ever met! Many likened him to Clark Gable! I’m so fortunate he was a part of my formative years. I am saddened by his passing. His legacy will live on in many of his former students. Of that, I am certain. Cherryl Moon Thomason
I salute Bob Mussehl and honor the relationship I had with him. Always the consumate gentleman, he was an adult role model I aspired to be like. When he was persuaded to give me private lessons, I went from the ‘director’s-ladder-steadier’ in 7th grade to being a full-fledged drummer in the NHS band a year later. When he launched the Diplomats, I was proud to be a part of his drumline and will never forget his finger-snapping, ‘one, two, three, play!’ I am sorry work in Des Moines will keep me from attending his service. Not only did I want to pay my personal respects, I would have liked to reconnect, if only briefly, with three of the most lovely ladies ever to grow up in Nashua – Sally, Ann and Sue. I offer my sincere sympathy to you in the loss of your father, a truly great man. Savor your memories forever.
Bob Mussehl was a giant in my life. First, I feared him, then I respected him, and finally, I loved him. He instilled in me a passion for excellence in performance. He was my father’s best friend and fishing buddy, and gave me great comfort at my father’s funeral. I will always hold him in the highest regard, grateful that I had the privilege of being his student and friend. You have my deepest sympathy. He will be remembered so fondly by so very many.
Mr. Mussehl expected top performance from his students. When we weren’t at our best he pointed it out which I can personally attest to. My memories of Mr. Mussehl are from marching band. We practiced our show for contest diligently. It was a proud moment for Mr. Mussehl and his Nashua Marching Band when we marched down Main Street after winning yet another Division One at Contest. It was my privilege to be the drum major of his maching band. He was a great teacher. My deepest sympathy to his family. Jeannine ( Muench ) Schlottman
Uncle Bob lived his life with a great deal of integrity. He was one of the most honorable men I have ever known and I deeply admired him. His love of family and community were above reproach. He leaves this world a better place because of his contributions. I was so happy to have shared a bit of time with him at Aunt Mary’s funeral, as I got to hold his hand and give him a hug. I even managed to get a smile from him. He always had a twinkle in his eye and one of the best smiles. If you witnessed either, you know it was very special. He is at peace with the love of his life, so while we will miss him, we must rejoice for him. My love and sympathy go out to Sue, Ann and Sally and all your families. I’ll always treasure every single one of my ‘Mussehl’ memories with love!
We are so sorry for you all. Bob was a great man and will be missed. God bless you all and keep you in His care. I am sorry but your Uncle Joe and I will not be able to attend.
Take comfort in the times shared and wisdom gained and with the knowledge that your dad’s life brought joy to so many. Eighty-nine years – a million memories. Life, if well lived, is long enough. Thinking of you Sally…….
My sympathy and prayers are with both Mr. Mussehl (can’t change old habits!) and the entire Mussehl family. I have many memories of band under Bob.
So So sorry to read about your Dad. He was a wonderful guy, a great teacher and a good man.May you find comfort with your memories and knowing he is with your mom, both at peace with our Lord. We send our deepset sympathy to all of you.
Deepest condolensces to the Mussehl family. Robert Mussehl was a great man. And one stern but terrific band director. Those were the days…
Sue, Ann, Sally and Families – Heaven now has it’s Conductor! Bob will be missed!!!! Our thoughts and prayers to you all. Dirk, Janise and the Girls
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family. Bob was a great guy and will be missed.
Rest in Peace, Bob! My condolences to Ann and Family!
To a good friend, you will be missed.