Robert "Bob" Timmins

Robert "Bob" Timmins

Ocala, FL, formerly of Des Moines - Robert Charles Timmins was born May 9, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa to William Foster Timmins and Irma Carmer Timmins. He passed from this life into the presence of his Lord and Savior on January 9, 2021.

Bob grew up as a child of the Depression, like many in his generation. He attended Urbandale schools; and for several years before his passing, he was the oldest living graduate of Urbandale High School, having graduated in 1939. After high school he was employed at Boyt Harness Company, quickly becoming a factory foreman. Bob met Janet Joy Maynard during this time, and they began a love affair that lasted for the rest of their long lives. Bob and Jan were married on April 17, 1942 at First Federated Church and they were separated only by Jan's death in November of 2019.

Bob enlisted in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, serving as an aircraft mechanic; he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant after the war ended. The GI Bill enabled Bob to enroll at Drake University where he worked full-time and studied full-time while supporting his wife and daughters. He graduated from Drake with an accounting degree and that led to his decades-long employment as a CPA with McGladrey, Hansen, Dunn & Company. Bob actually retired three times; once from public accounting, once as a co-owner of Emerson Flute Company, and finally in his late 80's as a director on several corporate boards.

In addition to his educational pursuits and brilliant business mind, Bob was even more outstanding as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He modeled devotion and tough but loyal love to all in his family and was the rock that everyone leaned on.

Bob and Jan enjoyed a long and active retirement; Bob always had a project going and was an avid golfer. He was proud that he "shot his age" every year from the ages of 72-97, had four holes-in-one, and he even hit the links at the age of 99 with his golfing buddies.

Bob was a man of faith, and he and Jan were faithful members of many churches throughout their moves; most recently his church home was Ocala West Methodist Church in Florida. Bob was truly a man of integrity, quick wit, quiet intelligence, loving acceptance, and faithful witness. He had many gifts and used them well. He lived well, loved well and was greatly loved in return.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, John Coder; his brother, William Timmins; his beloved daughter, Leslie Timmins Campbell and his precious wife, Janet. He is survived by his daughter, Sydney Timmins Coder of Urbandale; four granddaughters and their families: Shannon and David Heupel, Owen, Ella and Lydia of Excelsior, MN; Melissa and Eric Dobbins, Will and Morgan Schipper of Cedar Rapids, IA; Kelsey Brandt, Sage and Calista Brandt, August Hancey of Salt Lake City, UT; Laura and Buck Olsen, Max, Charlie, Zoe, Tate, Mia and Finn of Johnston, IA. He is also survived by his son-in-law, John Hamman; his sister, Marilyn Argenta; his sister-in-law, Shirley Timmins; two nephews and four nieces.

There will be a brief, socially-distant visitation from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 15, 2021, at Iles Westover Chapel, 6337 Hickman Road, for those who are comfortable in that setting. A private funeral for family will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 16 at Iles, with burial immediately following at the Masonic Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend. The link will appear at 12:45 p.m., Saturday (prior to the service) on Bob's obituary page at www.IlesCares.com, where you may also leave online condolences and read additional obituary information.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ocala West United Methodist Church in Ocala, FL or the Longville Library in Longville, MN.