Robert Bates, 80, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, December 30, 2011 at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington following a lengthy illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 2, 2012 at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with the Revs. Bob Wollenberg and Herb Yoder officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Monday at the United Presbyterian Church where the family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. and also following the services. Private family interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the United Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Robert's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Charles Robert Bates was born December 12, 1931, in Burlington, Iowa the son of Charles and Bessie (Blanchard) Bates. He graduated from Wapello High School. Robert graduated from the State University of Iowa, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1958. He was commissioned in the United States Army Reserve and was on active duty from 1955-57.

On November 18, 1962, he was united in marriage to Martha J. Potts in Albia, Iowa.

Robert practiced law in Washington from 1960 until 1981 when he was appointed to the Iowa District Court. Retiring in 1998, he took senior status serving the courts an additional six years.

Robert was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Home Board of Directors, the Washington YMCA Board, Noon Kiwanis, Y's Men, and the Washington Community Chest. He was a 50-year member of the Iowa State Bar Association and a member of the Iowa Judges Association.

He is survived by a daughter, Karen Bates (Ed) Chabal of Mt. Pleasant; a son, Brian Bates of Iowa City; two grandchildren, Ryan and Kathryn Chabal; and a sister, Betty Bayne of Marion. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2009 and parents.