Robert Emmett Hasty
Robert Emmett Hasty, 90, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 26, 2026. He was born July 13, 1936, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Emmett and Wilma Hasty. Bob attended Waterloo East High School and obtained his GED while proudly serving his country in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957. He was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England, serving as a fuels specialist. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal and received an honorable discharge. While his job involved refueling aircraft, Bob spent nearly every waking moment away from work playing all types of pickup sports. After his military service, Bob worked various jobs until 1963 when he landed his career job of 31 years at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works. After retirement from John Deere, Bob joined the ranks of the Hudson Community School District bus drivers where he enjoyed interacting with fellow drivers and touched the lives of many young people. Bob married Patricia Ann Danielson on February 22, 1963, in Preston, Minnesota. Together they built a home in Hudson, Iowa, where they raised ...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
amily that was the center of Bob's life. He was completely devoted to his family and took tremendous pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bob’s grandchildren knew him as Papa, and his great-grandchildren knew him as Papa Great. Despite being an avid Hawkeye fan and all around sports enthusiast, his family always came first—his love for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren surpassed even his love of sports. Sports were a lifelong passion for Bob. As a young man, he enjoyed wrestling, boxing, and softball. He and his wife naturally became fans of any sport or activity their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participated in, and could always be found in the crowd supporting and cheering them on. Bob and Pat were also avid Iowa Hawkeye fans and have been Iowa wrestling season ticket holders for over 30 years. Bob loved baseball, following the St. Louis Cardinals and Sioux Falls Canaries with particular interest in #34, and his enthusiasm extended to dirt‑track racing, where he was especially fond of #26J. Bob was known for his pristine lawn and his good-natured tree-pruning reputation, which led to his family jokingly referring to him as “the butcher”. He was always ready to have a little fun, and will be remembered for his practical jokes and wonderful sense of humor. He gave back to his community by volunteering at youth sports tournaments, combining his love of sports with his desire to support young people. Bob is survived by his wife; his children, Greg (Juleene) of Shalimar, FL, Roberta Roberts (Tom) of Waterloo, Patti Rust of Grundy Center, and Richard (Melissa) of Plattsmouth, NE; grandchildren Emily Simon (David), Mallory Hasty, Matt Hasty (Kelly), Joshua McConnell (Kristen), Amy Love (Derek), Joel Rust (Amanda), Jennifer Rust, Charlie Hasty, and Richard Hasty, Jr.; and eleven great-grandchildren, Sophia and Scarlet Simon, Stella, Blakely and Myles Hasty, Micah and Charlotte McConnell, Jax-Ryan and Kjirsti Love, Emmett and Grayson Rust; and a brother, Wayne Hasty (Janelle) of Backus, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald Hasty, David Hasty, and Roy Hasty; and sisters Helen Leroy, June Irish, and Lois Hasty. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2026, at Trinity Bible Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. A lunch reception will follow the service. Robert leaves behind a family who will miss his humor, his love, his devotion, and his presence in their lives. Above all, his family takes comfort in the belief that Robert gave his heart to Jesus, that his sins were forgiven, and that he is now with his Savior. They look forward with hope to the day when they will meet again in heaven.
