Robert Wayne Leyda, 97, of rural Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on May 14, 2026 at the Bloomfield Care Center. He was born on October 11, 1928 in Mark, Iowa to Lowell Glen and Goldie Mae Bogle Leyda. Robert was a member of the old Mark Baptist Church. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1947. After graduation, Robert went to the Kansas wheat harvest. Upon returning, he taught one year at Harmony rural school in Davis County followed by another season harvesting wheat in Kansas and Montana. Robert returned home to settle down and marry his sweetheart. He and Ione Brunk married on May 14, 1947, in Salem, Arkansas. They remained married until her death in 2015.
Robert worked at the John Morrell packing plant in Ottumwa, Iowa from 1949-1961, also farming during this time. In 1961, he and Ione started their milking operation southeast of Bloomfield, selling Grade A milk to the Sealtest Dairy. They continued this operation until 1987, when he became an over the road truck driver for the Daily Express based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He drove for Daily Express until 2004 at which point he went to work for Troy Elevator driving a feed truck until 2008.
Robert was a farmer through and through. He continued working on the family farm until failing health at the age of 95. He could be seen every harvest driving the tractor with a wagon or two of grain to the elevator in Bloomfield. He enjoyed attending the Davis County Fair every year and took great pride in showing his antique tractors. He could be found at the fair almost daily. Robert also enjoyed playing the card game, Pig, with his grandchildren.
Robert was a Corporal in the US Army Military Police serving in occupied Germany from 1951-1953. He was stationed in many German cities and was proud to have served his country. He was a member of the Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion in Bloomfield.
He is survived by his children, Jeffry (Debbie) Leyda of Bloomfield, Jana (Dean) Gooden of Pulaski, Iowa; four grandchildren, Erica McKay of Des Moines, Jared (Stephanie) Gooden of Pulaski, Ashely (Tom) Walkup of Bloomfield, Kimbery (Ryan) Fleming of Bloomfield; five great-grandchildren; brother, Max (Jeani) Leyda of Bloomfield; sister-in-law, Patty (Ronald) Brunk of Sun City, Arizona; and his canine companion, Zip.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sisters, Helen McWilliams, Lucille Leyda; brother, Boyd Leyda; and four brothers-in-law, John Brunk Jr., Donald Brunk, Ronald Brunk, and Bob McWilliams.
Robert’s wish was to be cremated. A private family service and burial will take place at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield at a later date. Memorials have been established in his name to the Heartland Humane Society in Ottumwa and the Davis County Ag Society and may be mailed to: Robert Leyda Memorial, Wagler Funeral Home, 304 W. Jefferson St., Bloomfield, Iowa 52537.
