Robert Possehl

Robert Louis Possehl, 67, of Hampton, Virginia, and formerly of Anita, Iowa, passed away Monday, April, 10, 2017, at the Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton.

He was born July 10, 1949, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Frederick “Fritz” and Hazel (Dalzell) Possehl. Robert was raised in Eagle Grove until his sophomore year in high school. At that time, 1963, he moved to a small farm outside of Anita, Iowa, where he lived with his Uncle Loyal and Aunt Blanch. In 1964, his parents moved to a small farm north of the Anita County Shed. Robert graduated from Anita High School in 1968. He attended college for a short time in Maryville, Missouri, before beginning his career in sales for various companies.

Robert was united in marriage to Melva Walters on June 19, 1971, at the Anita Methodist Church. He lived in various homes in and around Anita before moving, in 2008, to Hampton, Virginia, to live with his son, Rush Possehl.

As a child, Robert was baptized and confirmed as a Lutheran in the Missouri Synod, and when living in Anita, he was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Robert loved to spend time camping, boating, fishing and playing cards. His most recent passion was to spend Sports Center Sundays with his son, Rush, and granddaughter, Kayla. He enjoyed getting phone calls from his daughters, Rocky and Ronee, and after the call was over he always said, “Thanks for making my day.” Robert was so very proud of his oldest son and the accomplishments Rob has made in the Navy. He never stopped talking about the Tiger cruise he got to go on from Jacksonville, Florida, to Virginia Beach, Virginia, on the George Washington carrier. Robert will always be remembered for his jokes, storytelling and the little songs he liked to teach his grandchildren, even though they weren’t always age appropriate. Robert was the type of man you could talk to about anything and he always made you feel better. His grandchildren will always remember him as Papa Two-Tac.

Robert is survived by his sons, Rob (Chrissy) Possehl of Virginia Beach, VA, and Rush (Anne) Possehl of Hampton, VA; his daughters, Ronee (James) Norris of North Royalton, OH, and Rochelle Possehl of Anita, IA; his grandchildren, Casey, Matthew, Brianna and Ethan Possehl, Cody, Andrew, Liam, Lucas and Colin Norris and Kayla Possehl; his great-grandson, Travis Norris; his sister, Evelyn Tillman of Riverside, CA; his brother-in-law, Darryl Fromm of Bettendorf, IA; his longtime friend, Melva Lund of Anita, IA; many adopted children who loved him very much in the Virginia and Iowa areas; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fritz and Hazel Possehl, his sisters, Karen Bel and Mary Fromm; his brother, Larry Possehl; his uncles, Loyal (Blanch) Possehl, Ted (Violet) Simpson and Sam (Bernice) Dalzell.

Robert’s family requests memorials to the American Diabetes Association in his name.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2017, at Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa, with burial in the Evergreen Cemetery.