Robert (Rob) Hathaway Jr.

Belle Plaine- Robert (Rob) C. Hathaway Jr. took his final journey to the safe arms of his Lord and Savior July 3, 2026, at the age of 59. Rob was born June 17, 1967, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Robert Hathaway Sr and Karen Cohrt (Blanchard). Rob grew up calling Blairstown home and graduated from the most awesome class of 1986 Benton Community. Rob was united in marriage to Kandi Leonard on March 23, 2005 in Vinton, Iowa. To this union they had two daughters. Rob worked at Victor Manufacturing as a team Leader until he recently retired. Rob was an avid Cubs, Hawkeye, and Vikings fan. He enjoyed collecting, traveling, and live music; the harder and louder the better. He had a huge personality and was the life of the party. His greatest loves were riding one of his many motorcycles and spending time with Payten and Dez. He was also a devoted dad to many pets and could be caught talking and even singing to them. Like the people he cared for, they all had nicknames. Rob was a quick witted story teller, never sparing on an opportunity to get a laugh even at the expense of making himself the butt of his own joke.

Rob is survived by his wife Kandi, two daughters, Ariel (Jakob Knapp) Lindenmayer and their children Acacia, Cohen and Kendal Knapp and Sam (Eric) Brecht and their children Payten Ary, Deza Rae Jacobson, Talie, Korbyn and Karter Brecht; brother, Dave Hathaway, sister, Chris Vest; nieces, Laurynn Kaiser and Chelsey (Jared) Steckly; nephew, Blake (Nicolle) Youngman and their families. Also left to remember Rob were Kandi’s family, Max and Darlene Leonard, Terria and Nook Beck, Letha and Mark Rathjen and Kent Leonard and their families, along with many cousins he loved like brothers and sisters and friends he loved like family. He was preceded in death by his and Kandi’s parents, sister, Heather Cohrt, cousin and best friend Jamie Blanchard, brother-in-law Laran Leonard, sister-in-law Janeen Leonard, nephew, Pat Rupp, as well as Dez’s dad, Ty Jacobson and Sam’s fiancé, Jake Novak.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo, with Rev. Dan Jessop officiating. Burial will be at the Koszta Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home in Marengo. A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Marengo is caring for Rob and his family. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com