Dates

• Existence: 1922 - 2018

Biography

Robert John Hughes was born April 3, 1922, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Bob and his brothers, Thomas and Charles, followed in their father’s footsteps to become pharmacists. All three of Bert and Kitty Foy Hughes’ sons graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Bob received the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Pharmacy in July 1943, and then attended the V-7 United States Navy Reserve Midshipman’s School, at Abbott Hall, Northwestern University, Illinois. When his training was completed, he was commissioned an ensign in the Navy Reserve. According to his obituary, Hughes was stationed aboard the AKA93 Yancey, an attack supply ship that was involved in the landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa in 1945 and was among the U. S. fleet in Tokyo Bay at the surrender of Japan.

In June 1946, Hughes moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, to work as a sales supervisor for the Upjohn Company, where he was employed for 38 years until his retirement in 1987. He met his future wife, Lois Murray, through a sales call. Robert and Lois were married in 1948, and they had six children. The growing family moved to Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1952, and then to Bettendorf where they were active in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

In March 1943, during his senior year at the University of Iowa, Robert served on the Union Board to replace an out-going member. His brother, Charles A. Hughes, also served on the Union Board, and later held the rank of Lieutenant in the Corps Army Air Defense (AAD). Robert Hughes died on March 9, 2018.

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