Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CLEWELL, Dr. Robert W.
CLEWELL, Dr. Robert W. (Dubuque, Apr. 11, 1921--Dubuque IA, Apr. 25, 1995). After attending DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Clewell graduated from the University of Iowa School of Dentistry. He served in WORLD WAR II and the KOREAN CONFLICT. Returning to Dubuque, he opened his dental practice. He was a forty-year member of the Dubuque Noon Rotary Club and one of its past presidents. He belonged to various dental societies including the District Dental Society in which he was also a past president. (1)
Clewell played the chimes heard all over the city from the bell tower of ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. He began in 1948 and only retired after a stroke in 1987 prevented him from climbing the steps inside the tower. Ensuring that the bell recitals would continue, he trained Kathy Reid to play the climes. She later replaced him.
Clewell knew how to play 200 hymns with his favorites being "Holy, Holy, Holy" and "I Know My Redeemer Liveth." Every Good Friday he rang the chimes 33 times representing the life of Christ on Earth.
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Source:
1. Obituary, Telegraph Herald, April 26, 1995, p. 23