Robert Haworth, 82 of rural Montezuma passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 on his farm near Gibson. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 am Saturday April 22, 2023 at the Calvary Bible Church in Oskaloosa. Burial will be held in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma following the luncheon. Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to greet friends and relatives. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Robert James Haworth was born on June 20, 1940, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He passed away doing what he loved, farming. Born to James Kenneth and Claire Mott Haworth as their youngest son, he was raised on the family farm near Ewart, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from Montezuma High School in 1957. In 1961, he achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education, at Iowa State University.

While pursuing his Bachelor of Science Degree, Robert married his high school sweetheart Gladys VeVerka on September 5, 1960, at the Montezuma Methodist Church. With this union four children were born: Ronald, Rick, Ramona, and Randall, along with the blessing of four adopted daughters: Rebecca, Rachelle, Robyn, and Rhonda from India. Together they cherished their time raising their children. Missionary work and adoption held a very special place in the hearts of Robert and Gladys.

He taught for a year at Central City High School. He then realized his true calling was farming. He returned to the VeVerka farmstead east of the Montezuma area to pursue his new ambition. Robert continued to farm in the Montezuma, Gibson, and Barnes City areas for the remainder of his life.

Robert was a dedicated member of the Ewart Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church in Montezuma. He served in Presbyterian Church as a Deacon and an Elder. Nothing was more important to him than his faith in the Lord. He enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes and singing in the choir with his wife. Towards the end of his life, he attended Calvary Open Bible Church in Oskaloosa.

Robert and Gladys had many hobbies that they shared. For example, they enjoyed traveling, as well as experiencing and learning about the diverse cultures of this world. Robert took pride in educating the next generation of farmers. He enjoyed his John Deere equipment and making his wife happy. Gladys loved it when he purchased her new John Deere toys.

Robert loved to openly talk to people. He specialized in conversing with them in a way that made them feel appreciated and important. He also was funny; he just had a way of turning the most stressful of situations into something more lighthearted. He will never be forgotten by his family and the community.

His legacy will be cherished by his wife, Gladys Haworth; his children, Ron (Janice) Haworth of Montezuma, Rick (Shirley) Haworth of Des Moines, Randall (Sachiko) Haworth of Japan, Rachelle (Adam) Hugley of Ankeny, Robyn (Prem) Samuel of Johnston, Rhonda Outlaw of West Des Moines; his grandchildren, Joshua (Brandon Woline) DeWeese, Jay (Kelsey) DeWeese, Rachel Haworth, Sarah Haworth, Kenneth Haworth, Cordilia Haworth, Matthew Hugley, Abigail Hugley, Derek Samuel, Isaac Samuel, Hannah Samuel, Juliana Bempah, and Halle Outlaw; two great-grandchildren, Ava DeWeese, and Breyer DeWeese; his sister, Carmen (Charlie) Brown; as well as many other close relatives and friends.

Robert is preceded in death by his daughters, Ramona and Rebecca Haworth, his son-in-law, Andre Outlaw, his parents, Kenneth and Claire Haworth, and his older brother, Gordon Haworth.