03/30/2015
Robert “Bob” Chambers, 79, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2015, after a three-year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Bob was born June 4, 1935, to Fred & Cleta (Mart) Chambers in Knoxville, IA where he spent his childhood and graduated from Knoxville HS. While in school, Bob worked concurrently at the United Food Market and in the family business, the Chambers Golden Guernsey Dairy. Bob then attended the University of Iowa, where he became a lifelong fan of Hawkeye football and basketball.
After college Bob began his 50-plus-year career as a trusted and dedicated stockbroker and financial advisor. He cared deeply for his clients and their investment portfolios and never made a distinction between a customer and a friend. Bob was recognized by his peers for his unwavering integrity – earning many distinctions and honors, including being selected to serve multiple terms on the board of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).
Bob also founded Chambers, Lewis & Martin Co. But aside from his successes, he was by far most proud of the financial peace-of-mind that he built for so many clients over the decades, until his eventual retirement in 2011 from Wells Fargo Advisors.
In his spare time, Bob dutifully served as the family’s handyman, teacher, advisor, and mentor and was also very passionate about his family, his lawn, his cars, and long walks with his loving wife of 21 years, Bernice. He fully immersed himself in his family’s activities, attending football and soccer games, coaching his daughter’s softball team, going pheasant hunting, and attending numerous dance recitals and gymnastics meets. He also loved making his famous homemade ice cream for special summer gatherings.
Bob is survived by his wife Bernice; daughter Kris (Joel); sons Scott (Tami) and Mike (Denise); stepdaughters Cindy and Natalie; grandchildren Rob Andersen, Sydney Chambers, and Emily Chambers; six step-grandchildren; sister Josephine (Don); niece Pam and nephews Bruce, Brian and Tim. His parents, his brother Don and his daughter Kim preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Life reception will be held on Thursday, April 9 from 3 pm to 6 pm at Plymouth Church in Des Moines, IA where Bob was an active member. A private burial service of cremains for family members will take place immediately following.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at UnityPoint Hospice and ManorCare Health Services for their tireless efforts to ensure our beloved received dignified and compassionate care for the past 2½ months. We are deeply thankful.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the Plymouth Church Music Department.