Robert Gillespie

After many days of being surrounded by friends and family, Robert (Bob) Gillespie peacefully passed away on Aug. 15, 2022 at the Johnston Hospice Care facility from an advanced stage of Pancreatic cancer. Bob was born on Jan. 16, 1954 in Kalispell, Montana to parents Bill and Gerri Gillespie, welcomed by two older brothers Jim and Dan and later joined by a younger brother, George. At the age of 15, Bob and his family moved to Granger, IA.
Bob attended Stuart-Menlo high school and at the tender age of 16 met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Betsie) Feltz. Bob and Betsie graduated from high school in 1972 and were joined in marriage on Oct. 6, 1973 in Dexter, IA. They would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this October. Bob and Betsie moved to Adel, IA in 1982 to raise their two children, Adam and Kelley. He finished his working career at the USPS after 25 years of service and poured his heart and soul into his job of being Grandpa to his best buddies, Maggie and Theo.
Grandpa and Maggie had fun hunting for pirate treasure and hunting for squirrels. Theo enjoyed helping Grandpa build a good fire and kept him busy watching countless hours of Curious George. Bob had a lifelong love of tending his lawn and plants, kept the birds and squirrels well fed and was passionate about the photography and genealogy of his family.
A celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 21, 2022 with a visitation one hour prior at the Country Lane Lodge in Adel. Following the Celebration of Life, there will be a time of refreshments and fellowship. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.
Bob is survived by his wife, Betsie; son, Adam (Dianna) Gillespie; daughter, Kelley (Jacob) Gillespie-Miller; grandchildren, Maggie Gillespie and Theo Miller; brothers, Jim Gillespie, Dan Gillespie and George (Peggy) Gillespie; along with many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Gillespie and Geraldine Nelson; step-father, Lowell Nelson; and sister-in-law, Susan Gillespie; and nephew, Benjamin Walls.