Robert was born on July 15, 1931, on the family farm near Malcom, Iowa to Robert Melvin and Elsie Lucille Heishman May. He was raised on the family farm and attended the Sheridan #6 school. On July 31, 1959, he was married to Theda Slagle at the Grace United Methodist Church in Brooklyn. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm near Malcom and he also worked for the Tama Sale Barn. Robert was a member of the Sheridan Methodist Church, the Farm Bureau, the Malcom Co-op Elevator, the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Paint Horse Assocation. He enjoyed raising horses and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Theda May of Malcom; his children, Eugene May of Grinnell, Jim (Arlene) May of Malcom and Diane (Leroy) Foster of Malcom; two grandchildren, Tanner and Tucker Foster, both of Malcom; three step grandchildren, Ben Rae, Alana Grace and Aaron Grace; and one sister, Doris (Lee) Hendricks of Reasnor, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Medical Center.