Memorial
Robert “Bob” Tribuno, 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and his parish priest after a courageous 10-year struggle with bladder cancer—facing it with patience, grace, and quiet strength.
Born on December 31, 1938, in Flushing, New York, Bob was a man of deep intellect, enduring faith, and unfailing love for his family. For 49 years, he shared a joyful, devoted marriage with Bertha Mae (Reth) Tribuno. Together, they built a loving home, raised three children–Peter, Michael, and Ann Louise–and navigated life with humor, grace, and mutual respect.
He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1956, and he earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University (1961) and Purdue University (1963). After graduation, Bob began a 37-year career at Collins Radio Company, ultimately retiring in 2000 as a Principal Engineer in Flight Control Systems. At Collins, he contributed to numerous commercial aircraft–including the Lockheed L-1011, the Boeing 757, 767, and 777, the Fokker 100, and the Bombardier CRJ–and his innovations yielded five patents related to aircraft guidance, control, and automatic landing. His enthusiastic play-by-play explanations of takeoffs and landings while on commercial flights fostered the engineering interests of his sons, Peter and Michael.
A devoted member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Bob’s faith was a steady compass throughout his life. He was active in the Men’s Holy Name Society and Bible Study groups, and he sang in both the Men's and Chancel Choirs. Bob was a gifted vocalist and pursued this interest outside of church, singing with the Cedar Rapids Harmony Hawks Barbershop Chorus, Downey Revelaires, Chorale Midwest, and the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale. He cherished the great operatic works–particularly Verdi, his idol—and performed in Otello, La Traviata, and Verdi’s Requiem Mass.
Bob’s life was a mosaic of learning, craftsmanship, family, faith, and service. He volunteered as the food coordinator for the Linn Community Food Bank, tutored English language learners at the Catherine McAuley Center, and built and restored furniture for Matthew 25. He supported many non-profit organizations and programs in the medical field, arts, education, and for those less fortunate, always giving quietly and sincerely.
Bob enjoyed sailing, skiing alpine slopes and snowy cross-country trails, photography, and building furniture and woodworking–activities he had learned from his father. His enduring curiosity led him to other pursuits–backpacking, learning to fly and pilot his own aircraft, hiking and exploring nature, and biking scenic trails. He was fascinated with trains throughout his life–and might have been a train engineer in an earlier time. A steadfast reader whose desire to learn never waned, a thick book was frequently at hand. An avid music lover, he delighted in filling their home with recordings and live broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera and Philharmonic. He took great joy in sharing and passing along these passions to his children and grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Mario and Marie Louise (Cuneo) Tribuno; sister Diane Gravenites, and two loyal Golden Retrievers Flash and Ethan. He is survived by his wife, Bertha; his children, Peter (Emerald), Michael, and Ann Louise; and his beloved grandchildren, Leighton and Porter.
Bob’s visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Cedar Memorial on Tuesday, June 10. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on June 11, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon to follow. (The Funeral Mass may be viewed live and for a brief period on the St. Matthew Catholic Church YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@st.matthewcr6873 Burial services will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Earlville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Matthew 25 https://www.matthew-25.org/get-involved/, a cause close to Bob’s heart.
Bob lived fully and loved deeply. His legacy soars on in the people he uplifted, the music he sang, the skies he flew, and the family who will forever carry his spirit forward.