Bob Uttenreuther
- 56 years old
- Male
- Born Jun 09, 1955
- Died Nov 20, 2011
- Iowa United States
About
Robert J. "Bob" Uttenreuther, Jr.
Bob Uttenreuther passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 26, at Valley Evangelical Free Church in West Des Moines, with burial to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines.
Bob was born on June 9, 1955, in Evanston, IL. He grew up in Skokie, IL and in 1977 married Laura Campbell of Glenview, IL. In 1981 they moved to Des Moines where they raised their family. He worked for Kreuger Amoco and in 1994 opened R.J.'s Service Center which he owned and operated for the past 16 years.
Bob had a passion for music. He sang in the church choir and delighted people with his music as a member of Bob's Garage Band.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert John Uttenreuther, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Laura, his son Robert John "R.J." Uttenreuther III, his daughter Lindsey (Tom) Klidzejs, his children he adopted in his heart, Holly Hyde, Nick (Jodi) Hyde, Lane (Missy) Hyde, his mother, Barbara Uttenreuther, his brother James (Judy) Uttenreuther, brother-in-law, Wren (Bonnie) Campbell, mother-in-law, Mable Campbell and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Evangelical Free Church.
Bob was a loving son, husband and father. He touched many lives with his generous heart and was a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Fathers day
Lindsey Klidzejs Jun 17, 2012
when the angels took your hand that day.
I can imagine the delight in your eyes,
when the lord was standing by your side.
From a little girl I always knew,
There was something so special inside of you.
I’ve always known to take the time,
To hold your hand cause you were mine.
I grew up being so proud of you,
It was amazing all the things you do.
Your family loves you endlessly,
Your laugh we miss it immensely.
There are people here you have not met,
Part of me knows they are heaven sent.
They fill a place where you use to stand,
Our photo’s now with a little hand.
Your son you’d be so proud of him,
He picked up the pieces to help us live again.
your wife she holds a big part to,
Through us she sees glimpses of you.
This father’s day I am happy for you,
You’re with your dad and our father too.
Until our eyes can meet again,
Please watch over us as this journey begins.
Loving and missing him everyday
All my love,
Lindsey
Dad's birthday 3 years ago
Lindsey Klidzejs Dec 22, 2011
- Laying on the couch watching cartoons.
I mean come one how many dads really do that?? YOU!
- When you make me big breakfast's on the weekends when I am home. MMMHHMMM I really love that :)
- When you would take me to the races when I was a little girl. I remember it being so loud, but I didn't care I just loved being with you!
- You would walk me to my friends house and I would have rather walked you all the way back home because I didn't want anything to happen to you. (you would never let me walk you back)
- You bought me my very first car the gallant, and I loved it so much! After it blew up you bought me a brand new ZX2 which I loved even more. You are the best! Thank you for loving me so much...or should I say spoiling me? :)
-It was my birthday and we were just leaving gymnastics I believe. A guy had some dogs and you looked at me and said...you want one? I was so excited I said yes of course! We chose the loudest one, and for the very first time MY dog stole your heart, but little did we know it wouldn't be the last dog to do so.
- When I was in college I wanted a dog...and of course you got me one, and I love her sooo much! After a while you took her in as your own...just like you always do with people's pets...and once again MY dog stole your heart hehe :) you gotta love Ray!!!
- You payed for my cheer leading addiction which was so expensive. But you and mom were always there to support me!
- When I was little I remember you would take me to you friends house and we go have a late night swim. It was honestly times like these were I became daddy's little girl.
Dad, you have always given me the opportunity to have the best in life. Without your love, support, and hard work I would have none of these things. You are such an inspiration to those around you. There is something about your warm heart and compassion for others that draws people into you. From the time I was a baby and now a grown woman, I have loved every second of being daddy's little girl. I truly love you with all my heart. I am sorry I can't be their on your Birthday, but know you have been in my thoughts all day.
Happy Birthday Daddy!
I love you!
Erica Fredricks - Goddaughter
Erica Fredricks Dec 06, 2011
It is impossible to describe what you meant to me and my family. You were my godfather, my dad's best friend, an "Uncle" to me and my siblings. We shared a town home with your family back in the day and the memories I have growing up with your children are priceless. It's a very rare treasure to have a friendship like you and Laura did with my parents for 30+ years. And it's amazing to see that friendship has been passed on through R.J. and Lindsey with me, Chris, and Clare, and how much we all love each other. Though we aren't blood, you are family to us. Camping, holidays, family gatherings, birthday's, weddings, every special event, you were there. The void in the hearts of your wife and children can never be replaced. But God promises to comfort, and heal, protect, and give peace. He is our hope. It is evident you have touched many lives... and in the midst of grief we are thankful that we can trust in the sovereignty of our God. Thank you for loving me like a daughter. We will meet again!
"Eulogy for God's Mechanic"
Bob Stouffer Nov 29, 2011
By Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian School
www.dmcs.org
Monday, November 28, 2011
Cheryl and I greatly enjoyed the services of and relationship with a unique mechanic. Just last week, he had repaired our Blazer, one of dozens of jobs he had completed for us over the years. We picked up the vehicle a week ago Sunday. We found out the next day that he had also died on that Sunday. From my standpoint as a 53-year-old, he was so young at 56 years of age. We hadn’t even paid him for his always-excellent service. News of the sudden death shocked us and several others who had always done business with our mechanic.
Early when we moved to Des Moines, we asked around to find a dependable, trustworthy mechanic for our forever-limping fleet of used vehicles. So we started taking our problems to this man. He was more than a mechanic to us, though.
He became our friend. Any drop-off or pick-up resulted in a spirited conversation. I walked away from every interaction with a smile on my face and joy from our friendship, even though it always cost me hundreds of dollars. Cheaper than therapy, I guess.
The funeral service honoring the memory of this man’s life on the Saturday after Thanksgiving was awesome. Valley Church Senior Pastor and DMCS Parent Quintin Stieff did a marvelous job of officiating the memorial service. Quintin’s eulogy and the family’s shared memories were heartfelt tear-jerkers. The Gospel message was heard loud-and-clear. Our friend the mechanic definitely would have wanted this celebration of his life to be that way. The mechanic’s daughter sang a hauntingly beautiful song in his memory. The mechanic had been a member of the Valley Church choir, and, fittingly, they sang, “We Will Rise!”
The service ended so appropriately with the mechanic singing a recorded solo of “Unchain My Heart” with his Garage Band, a group which practiced in his garages and performed well at community gatherings. Of course, the man’s voice brought smiles and tears, but mostly a lasting memory of his positive influence on us all.
Cheryl asked, “What should I write on the sympathy card?” I said, “The world has lost a great man and a great mechanic.”
Why have I withheld the name of this man, our mechanic, for so long. Because I want you to remember his name here at the end of this written piece, a name which I only (embarrassingly) learned to pronounce correctly at the funeral service:
Bob Uttenreuther.
Bob loved life. Bob loved his wife. Bob loved his children. Bob loved his friends. Bob loved the outdoors. Bob loved music. Bob loved his work. Most importantly, Bob loved Christ, and he is now in the presence of his Savior. Pastor Stieff rightly pointed out that Bob exemplified the truth of Ecclesiastes 11:8 (a passage which Quintin preached – not coincidentally – on the very day of Bob’s death):
“So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. . . .”
By the world’s standards, Bob Uttenreuther did not live “many” years. But he sucked the very marrow of life for all 56 years. He was God’s man. He was God’s mechanic. May we all enjoy every day of our lives. That life comes from God. Our second birth also comes from God. He determines the length of our days. We must make the most of every day – for God’s glory. May we rejoice in them all.
I praise God that Bob Uttenreuther taught me this truth.
Amen.