Monsignor Bob Spiegel, 85, a resident of Oskaloosa and a priest of the Diocese of Davenport, died Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.
Monsignor Robert Henry Spiegel was born on September 23, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, to Benedict and Dorothy (Manemann) Spiegel. As a young man, he was active in the Boy Scouts, earning the Eagle Scout rank at the age of 15. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in 1958 and Saint Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, in 1962 with a Degree in Liberal Arts. While at St. Ambrose College, Bob was called to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ as a Roman Catholic Priest. He then attended Mount Saint Bernard Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he completed his studies in Theology in 1966. He was ordained on June 4, 1966, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. He furthered his education at Creighton University, earning a Master of Science in Education on August 6, 1968.
He taught at Aquinas High School in Fort Madison, IA, and Assumption High School in Davenport, IA. He was called to the National Guard and the U.S. Army as a Chaplain and retired from the U.S. 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, the designation of Monsignor was conferred upon him.
Msgr. Bob is grateful for having had the privilege to serve the people of God at Aquinas High School, Assumption High School, and in the U.S. Army at the levels of Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps, and Army. He thanks God for his calling, which allowed him the privilege to serve his people. He intended to do so with a positive effect on all the people he was given to serve; I have been a sinner, but also have done good; farewell, Amen.
He is survived by his two brothers, Father Thomas Spiegel of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Father John Spiegel of Montrose, Iowa, and nephews, Stephen and James.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Conrad Richard “Dick” and Shirley Spiegel, and a nephew, Konrad Spiegel.
A Funeral Mass was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oskaloosa with Most Reverend Dennis G. Walsh, D.D., Bishop of Davenport presiding, as well as brothers of Monsignor Spiegel and Concelebrating Priests. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Ambrose Dorothy Spiegel Nursing Scholarship or the St. Mary’s Church Scholarship to St. Ambrose. Langkamp Funeral Chapel was entrusted with Monsignor Bob Spiegel’s final arrangements.
