Robert “Bob” Dean Gray

Robert “Bob” Dean Gray, age 79, of Norwalk, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on June 3, 1947, in Chariton, Iowa, to Lucille (Tickle) and Seymoure Sr. Gray.

After graduating from Chariton Community Schools, Bob continued his education at Indian Hills Community College and later graduated from Truman State University with degrees in social studies education and physical education. He went on to complete an endorsement in special education.

Bob dedicated more than 35 years to teaching. His career was diverse, with students ranging from kindergarten through high school and subjects including social studies, physical education, and special education. He believed in the importance of hard work, discipline, and teamwork, values he carried into both his classroom and his coaching.

In addition to teaching, Bob coached a variety of sports, but basketball was his true passion. He spent countless evenings, weekends, and vacation days helping players improve their skills through open gyms, basketball camps, and individual lessons. He took great pride in helping young athletes develop not only as players, but also as people.

Over the years, Bob coached in the Moravia and Centerville school systems, as well as in Albia and Seymour, and enjoyed many successful seasons.

Another of Bob’s passions was golf. He especially enjoyed playing in seasonal golf tournaments in Oskaloosa and loved sharing the sport with his children and grandchildren. Having his family on the course with him brought him tremendous joy. For many years, Bob also organized and ran the Centerville St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus golf tournament.

Bob had a caring heart and a quiet way of helping others. He often gave financial or material support to people in need without seeking recognition or expecting anything in return. His concern for others was evident throughout his life, not only in the ways he helped people personally, but also in the time and encouragement he gave to his students and athletes.

He believed in giving people opportunities to succeed and was always willing to share his time, knowledge, and experience. He was also a longtime blood donor, seeing it as another simple but meaningful way to help others. Bob’s generosity was a reflection of the kind of person he was.

Bob lived for University of Iowa athletics. His clothing, truck, and man cave made his loyalty unmistakable. He proudly wore his Hawkeye gear, followed his favorite Hawkeye teams, and rarely missed an opportunity to talk about Iowa sports. His love for the Hawkeyes was well known to everyone who knew him and was simply part of who Bob was.

Bob was first married to Lloydene (Dee) Ewoldson, and they shared three children: Mike, Scott, and Amy. In 1987, he married Paula (Wehr), and they shared one son, Tyler.

Bob is survived by his wife of 39 years, Paula; his children, Mike (Michelle) of Moravia, Iowa; Scott (Bobbi) of Indianola, Iowa; Amy (Jeremy) of Moravia, Iowa; and Tyler (Anna) of Denver, Colorado; and his seven grandchildren, Seth, Makenna, Jordan, Ember, Danny, Brendan, and Anderson Gray.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Seymoure Sr. “Ed” and Lucille “Martha” Gray; his in-laws, Ray and Alta Wehr; his brothers, Seymour and twin brother Bill; and his sisters, Zelma Miller, Gilda Carson, Jacque Shipley, and Dorothy Gray.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on October 24 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church Reception Building in Moravia, Iowa.

In keeping with Bob’s love of the Hawkeyes, guests are welcome to wear their finest Iowa Hawkeye attire, or, for those who are not Hawkeye fans, the attire from the school they knew him from.