Robert J. Masters

Robert Masters, 87, of Bettendorf, Iowa, died Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at ManorCare Health Services, Davenport, Iowa.

Graveside services are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Those wishing to attend should meet at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, at 1:45 p.m. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, under the direction of the Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.

Robert Joseph Masters was born December 6, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. While he attended Ferris High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, a young Robert excelled in sports, especially baseball. His love and admiration for "the game" continued throughout his life. His favorite "team" was the New York Mets. Additionally, Bob greatly enjoyed and admired classic western films and television series.

Happily married to Justina "Tina" Howansky in 1951, Bob served in the U.S. Army (1951-1953) during the Korean War as a developer in a photography department, while stationed for a year in Okinawa, Japan.

During his lifetime, Bob lived and worked in New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon being employed for over forty years in the highly skilled printing business as a photo engraver and photo negative stripper.

An ongoing trait that Bob became famous for amongst his friends and family was always arriving quite early for any gathering or meeting.

Bob and Tina Masters had five children, Robert, Michael, Richard, Linda and Christine. Bob took joy and pride in raising his children and later visiting them at their homes around the country as grown adults.

Bob is survived by his wife, Tina, of 65-years; five children and their spouses, Robert and Marilyn Masters of Oregon, Michael Thomas Masters of Iowa, Richard Masters of Arizona, Linda Masters of Iowa, and Chris and Tony Podlashes of Illinois; grandsons, Steven Masters and Ryan Podlashes; granddaughters, Meredith Masters and Emily Podlashes; sisters-in-law, Antoinette Masters, and Sandy and Ron Zaluska; canine granddaughter, Sophie Rose; and turtle grandson, Squirt. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Anna Peshla Masters, and a younger brother, Frank Richard Masters.

Bob was loved for his good-natured personality, fine humor and great kindness. Bob/Dad will be greatly missed and will always live in our hearts.