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06/30/2015
Robert Ralph Bates was born May 8, 1964 in Knoxville, Iowa the son of Robert Harley Bates and Rita Kay (Toigo) Bates.
He was raised in Marion County and attended Twin Cedars schools, graduating with the Class of 1982.
On March 13, 1982 Bobby was united in marriage to Sherry Lynne Nilius at thee Attica United Methodist Church. The couple have always lived in the Knoxville area.
He was employed at the Knoxville Rest Home and as a construction flagman before taking a job with the V. A. Bobby worked at the Knoxville V.A. Hospital in Dietetic and Human Resources until he retired due to health concerns.
In his spare time, Bobby was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushrooming and trapping with his father and grandfather. His greatest joy in life was being a husband, father and grandfather. He was an exceptional grandpa, and cherished the time he spent with the grandkids.
Bobby passed away on Thursday, June 25 at the Comfort House, in Pella, at the age of 51 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Rita Bates and his grandparents: Tony and Maxine Toigo and Marguerite and Glenn Bates.
Those left to honor Bobby's memory include his wife, Sherry; children: Chris (Nicole) Bates of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Andy (Stef) Bates, Bradley Bates and Brandi (Jody VanDusseldorp) Bates all of Knoxville; grandchildren: Addy, Brilynn, Kaelynn, Baleigh, Blair, Preston, Jaxson and one on the way; siblings; Janet (Dave) Pregon of Knoxville, Joni(Willie) Isley of Knoxville, Richard (Kim) Bates of Newton and Judy (Kevin) Vermeer of Hot Springs, Arkansas and many other family members and friends.
Funeral Service St. Anthony Catholic Church-Knoxville, Iowa Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 11 am Rev. Jacob Greiner, officiating. Interment-Graceland Cemetery-Knoxville, Iowa.