Standing with Sandy - Honoring the Legacy of Robert Varner

Standing for Sandy - Honoring the Legacy of our Uncle Bob (Robert Varner)

We honor and remember our beloved uncle, Robert Varner, who was both the patriarch and the glue that held our family together. In his spirit of generosity and service, we wish to “Give Back,” just as he always did.

Robert Varner was born on August 31, 1926, in Keokuk, Iowa, and passed away on January 12, 2025. He married the love of his life, Edith, on May 4, 1947. They shared 74 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2021. Together, they raised two sons, Daryal and Gary.

Robert was one of four brothers in his family who volunteered to serve their country. With his father’s permission, he enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years old. He was deployed to the Pacific during World War II, serving as a signalman during the invasion of Okinawa. There, he bravely endured Japanese Kamikaze attacks as Allied warships landed. He was honorably discharged in 1945 but was called back to serve again during the Korean War five years later.

To honor his legacy of love and service, we are directing contributions to support his niece, Sandy Varner, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and now requires increased care. Robert deeply valued his family, and this act of support reflects the heart of who he was—a man devoted to giving and caring for others.