Robert Bob Owen Moninger, Iowa City Music Teacher and Historian

Robert “Bob” Owen Moninger, an Iowa City educator and lifelong enthusiast of history and music, died on November 9 at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown following a short battle with cancer, Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service reported.

He was 88 years old.

Born on April 12, 1938, in State Center, Iowa, to James and Charlene Moninger, Bob’s life was defined by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a hands-on approach to the world around him. Whether he was teaching music, building structures, or studying the intricacies of Welsh heritage, he approached every interest with a level of dedication that left behind both specialized collections and a legacy of community involvement.

A life shaped by music and partnership

Bob’s journey took him through various academic settings, including schools in Minneapolis, Oskaloosa, Wichita, Warrensburg, and Clear Lake. He eventually attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he served as the director of the Viking Chorus and earned his master’s degree from the University of Iowa.

It was during his time at St. Olaf that he met Rosalie Johnson, a musician specializing in the violin and flute. The two married in the college chapel in 1960, embarking on a decades-long partnership centered on music and shared ambitious projects.

Both pursued careers as music teachers, with Bob teaching choral and instrumental music in Battle Creek and throughout the Iowa City Community School District, most notably at Central Junior High.

His musical leadership extended beyond the classroom. As the longtime director of the Zion Lutheran Church Senior Choir, he led ensembles on international tours through countries including Norway, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Poland, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and the Czech Republic.

Building legacies in Iowa and Ontario

Beyond the musical stage, Bob was a builder and a tinkerer. He and Rosalie spent decades developing property on Red Lake in Ontario, Canada. What began as a summer retreat evolved into a massive undertaking as they constructed a cabin and various other structures, creating a central gathering point for family and friends.

In Iowa City, his dedication to preservation was evident in his work with Zion Lutheran Church. He spent significant energy researching and organizing the installation of the church’s historic 1852 Stevens-Moore tracker-action organ. His final public appearance was a recital celebrating the restoration of that very instrument, which had been silenced for years following damage from the 2020 derecho.

His diverse interests were as varied as they were deep. He was a student of American history, particularly the Civil War, and possessed a memory capable of reciting the opening lines of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in Middle English: “Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote, The droghte of March hath perced to the roote…”

Other passions included:

Antique cars and classic wooden boats
Old John Deere tractors
Beekeeping and vacuum cleaner repair
Freemasonry, serving as worshipful master in Iowa City Lodge No. 4

Bob engaged with his community and family

Bob was known in his community as a man who could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. At Zion Lutheran, he was a fixture in the parish hall, often arriving early to brew coffee and engage with fellow congregants. These discussions frequently migrated to his garage, accompanied by cigars.

He is survived by his wife, Rosalie; his children, Tom, J.P. (Sara), and Sarah Meehan (Jim); his grandchildren, Rachel, Ruth, Clara, Jared, Lily, and Sam; his sister, Barbara May; his brother, Tom; and his brother-in-law, Ronnie (Phyllis). He was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Louise, his brother-in-law Dave May, his sisters-in-law Peggy Moninger and Mary Ellen Berg, and family friend Dale Lammi.

The family expressed gratitude to Iowa City Hospice and the staff at UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown, specifically noting nurse Maurine Champion Schroder, a former student of Bob’s.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with a family meet-and-greet held at noon. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website at zionlutheran-ic.org.

Memorial contributions intended for the perpetual care of the Zion Stevens-Moore organ may be directed to the Community Foundation of Johnson County, either online at cfjc.org or by mail to Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City, IA 52245.