Robert Willis "Bob" Graff

Robert "Bob" W. Graff, 84, of Dubuque, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center in Dubuque.
Private family services will be held. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.
Robert was born May 23, 1941, in Dubuque, the son of Edward J. and Loretta (Behnke) Graff. On July 31, 1965, he married Janet M. Beckley at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in LaMotte, Iowa.
He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving in France from November 28, 1961 until August 12, 1964.
He worked as a truck driver for several years with Ruan Transport in Dubuque and later spent 23 years with H & W Motor Express, also in Dubuque. After retiring, he served as a school bus driver for the Western Dubuque School District.
Bob was truly a jack of all trades who loved staying busy with hands-on projects. After finishing his workday, he could often be found in his garage, working on projects or fixing cars that friends and family brought to his home. He enjoyed camping and fishing and loved to travel, visiting every state except Hawaii. Above all, Bob cherished his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather and was proudly known as "Grandpa Bob," a title he held close to his heart.
Survivors include his wife, Janet; four children, Tammy (Loras) Link of Balltown, Lori (Steve) Esser of Dubuque, Jerry (Lisa) Graff of Dubuque, Mark (Michele) Graff of Normal, IL; eight grandchildren, Sarah (Zach) Little, Melissa (Jason Tomkins) Link, Shantelle, Kimberly, Nicholas, and Jonathan Graff, Hailee and Lexie Graff; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Cecilia Little; three sisters-in-law, Pat Graff of Peosta, Mary Ellen O'Brien of Huntley, IL, and Shirley Jean Lemm of Beemer, NE; two brothers-in-law, Paul (Carol) Beckley of Dubuque, and George (Dee) Beckley of Ferndale, WA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a stillborn son, Marvin, twin of Lori, in 1967, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Edwin) Reeg, Joann (Ray) Schumacher, Bob (Mary) Beckley, Fr. Clarence Beckley SSC, Bill Timmerman, and Tom O'Brien.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Missionary Society of St. Columban, 1902 N. Calhoun Street, St. Columban, NE, 68056.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the staff and Chaplain at MercyOne Medical Center.