OSKALOOSA — Msgr. Robert H. “Bob” Spiegel, who spent most of his priesthood serving as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, died Sept. 2 at Mahaska Hospice Serenity House. He was 85.
Born in Burlington to Benedict and Dorothy Spiegel, he graduated from St. Ambrose College-Davenport with a BA in liberal studies. While attending St. Ambrose, he felt a call to the priesthood. He completed his theology studies at Mt. St. Bernard Seminary-Dubuque, Iowa. Later, he earned an MS in education from Creighton University-Omaha. On June 4, 1966, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ralph Hayes at Sacred Heart Cathedral-Davenport.
Father Spiegel taught at Aquinas High School-Fort Madison and Assumption High School-Davenport. Father Spiegel answered the call to the National Guard and the U.S. Army as a chaplain and retired from the Army after 31 years. During this time, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Leavenworth, Kansas and later the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. While serving the Youngsan Catholic Community, Youngsan Army Garrison in Seoul, Korea, he received the designation of monsignor.
Msgr. Spiegel was grateful for the privilege to serve the people of God at Aquinas and Assumption high schools and in the U.S. Army at the levels of Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps and Army. He thanked God for his calling, which allowed him the privilege to serve his people. He intended to do so, he said, desiring to have a positive effect on all the people he served. He reflected, “I have been a sinner, but also have done good; farewell, Amen.”
Two brothers, Father Thomas Spiegel of Oskaloosa, and Father John Spiegel of Montrose, are among his survivors. Msgr. Spiegel’s funeral was held Sept. 9 at St. Mary Church in Oskaloosa with burial at St. Mary Cemetery there.
Memorials may be made to St. Ambrose Dorothy Spiegel Nursing Scholarship or the St. Mary Parish-Oskaloosa scholarship to attend St. Ambrose.
