Robert Michael “Bob” Bane, the son of John Alexander and Mary Elizabeth (Taylor) Bane, was born October 11, 1944, in Cheyenne, WY. He died May 23, 2025, at his home near Oakland, IA, at the age of 80 years, 7 months, and 12 days.
Bob was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and lived in Denver, Colorado for a brief time, before the family returned to Oakland, Iowa. While growing up on the farm near Oakland, he was active in 4-H, Methodist Church MYF, football, basketball, and baseball. Bob began dating Carole Marlene Kunze in 1961, their junior year of high school. Upon graduating from Oakland High School with the class of 62, Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force July 30, 1962. He was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi and was trained as an electronic warfare technician on B-52s. Following the completion of training, Bob married Carole on June 22, 1963, and they moved to Ellsworth Air Force base in South Dakota. After being stationed in Guam in 1966, Bob entered the Air Force Reserves serving until July 29, 1968.
Upon discharge from regular service, Bob worked on the construction of the new Oakland Elementary school building. The family then moved to Ames, where he attended Iowa State University. After moving to Omaha, Bob worked for RCA, until 1970, when he returned to Oakland to farm with his father and continued until 2021.
Bob was elected to the Oakland School Board from 1979 to 1982, serving as president in his final year. He was also a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, the Farm Bureau, an adult volleyball league, and a neighborhood card club. Bob enjoyed reading and watching his children and grandchildren in their activities.
Bob loved to talk to anyone but believed that being a good listener was most important because you can learn something from everyone if you listen close enough.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Terry Bane, and his brothers-in-law Doug Kunze and Raymond Najjar.
He is survived by his loving wife Carole Bane of Oakland; his children Michael Bane (Kristy) of Oakland, IA, Corey Bane of Council Bluffs, IA, and Kimberly Bane Schwarte (David) of Oakland, IA; his grandchildren Drake (Hanna) Bane, Dallas Bane, Jacob Schwarte, Jon Schwarte, and Jared Schwarte; three great-grandchildren; his sister Beth Ann Najjar of Phoenix, AZ; his sister-in-law Glenda Kunze of Persia, IA; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A funeral service for Bob will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Oakland United Methodist Church, with visitation with the family one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
