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BORN
1953
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Elliott Obituary
Robert Joseph Elliott, loving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, died peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, July 8, 2017 in Iowa City. He was born May 6, 1953 in Iowa City, Iowa to Chalmers "Bump" and the late Barbara Elliott.
Bob grew up in Iowa City and Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from Iowa City West High School and the University of Iowa in 1976. At Iowa, Bob was twice named a football Academic All-American, was Phi Beta Kappa and a Rhodes Scholar candidate his senior year. He was named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and a finalist for the Draddy Award as the nation's best player-student. In 1975, Bob was Iowa's Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and awarded the Hancher Finkbine Medallion for Campus Leadership. Most importantly, Bob met the love of his life, Karen Jo ("Joey") Grant at Iowa. Bob and Joey were married June 19, 1976 and enjoyed 41 wonderful years together.
Bob was a leader in the national Kidney Foundation and Donate Life America bringing awareness and helping raise thousands of dollars, especially through Team Scoop and Score.
Bob devoted his life to serving as a mentor and coach to countless student-athletes. In his over 40-year career, he was committed to excellence and integrity, sought to bring out the best in everyone, and instilled a sense of hope to all he touched. He was a champion and warrior who was steadfast, dedicated and selfless. His memory lives on through the men and women who loved him throughout his great life. He finished his championship season Undefeated and Unbroken.
Bob's pride and joy were his wife, children, grandchildren and family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Joey; son, Grant (Jessica); daughter, Jessica (Kyle); his magnificent grandchildren, Levi, Robin, Gideon, Elizabeth, Alice and Elijah; father, Bump; brother, William (Janice); sister, and kidney donor, Elizabeth (John); sisters-in-law, Jeri, Carol (Dennis), Nancy (Ron); nieces, Melissa (Matt), Jill (Steve), Erin, Jaycie, Madeline; nephews, Tom (Erika), Jeff (Tiffany), Sam (Nina), Jeffrey (Sarah), John (Stephanie) and Michael (Kady) and the many extended family, friends and football sons. .
The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses whose dedication allowed him to pursue a career that he loved, positively influence young people, and enjoy a full life with his cherished family. We would like to especially acknowledge the care that the family received from The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County.
Services celebrating Bob's life will be held at 10 am Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City (doors will open to the public at 9:15am). A time of fellowship and light refreshments will be held following these services at Hancher. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Porter SELF Foundation at sbpselffoundation.org. Also, please consider donating blood at RedCrossBlood.org or registering to donate organs and tissue at BeTheMatch.org or DonateLife.net. For an opportunity to share a thought, memory, prayer or condolence please go to the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services are caring for Bob's family and his services.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Elliott
Sponsored by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City.
James Fox
May 25, 2023
Words can not convey the sterling quality of Bob and his life. A superb coach, a wonderful human being and a remarkable athlete are his legacy. All who knew him are lucky and blessed.
Christopher Traynor
July 15, 2017
Bob and I met at Iowa State during one of his many stops there and we quickly became friends. I remember him as an up beat inspirational leader who was open minded and treated others with the utmost respect. We both had a passion for education and athletics and I feel very blessed to have known such a talented and courageous person. He has served as an inspiration in my life as he has for so many others. My condolences to his family and all those that knew and loved him.
Christopher T. Traynor
Barry Tomasetti
July 14, 2017
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Bobby. He was an upperclassman when I arrived as a freshman at Iowa in 1974. He was always extremely positive and treated everyone with the utmost respect; an exemplary role model.
The entire Elliot family has been in my thoughts and prayers.
Coach Gene & Dee Jones
July 13, 2017
Joey,
We send our deepest sympathy to you and family on the loss of Coach Elliott. Our time together at Iowa will be one that I will always remember. Bob was a devoted husband, loving father. He was a mentor to many athletes. As he make his transition
I will choose to cherish the memories of time our path cross each other. Wishing you strength and hope. God Bless you and Family.
Tom Hayes
July 13, 2017
My wife Cindy and I are very saddened about the loss of Bobby Elliott. I was 4 years ahead of Bob as we went through our time as Hawkeyes. We have been long time coaching friends as we have moved through our careers. Bob was a great coach and an even better person. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joey and the family, as well as Bump who was great with me as a player and coach at Iowa. Rest in peace my friend.
Tom Hayes
July 13, 2017
Joey,
Marilyn & I send our deepest sympathy to you & your family on the loss of Bob. We so enjoyed our dinner with both of you when ND was here for the Fiesta Bowl. Bob will be in our thoughts and prayers.
John Bechtold
President-ND Club of Phoenix & life member of Fiesta Bowl
Dave Jacobson
July 13, 2017
I'm very sorry to hear of Coach Elliott's passing. I knew he had some difficult struggles with his health over the years but he always attacked his challenges head on with success. Bobby was always very professional, courteous and a pleasure to be around on his recruiting visits to the schools where I coached. His guidance, assistance, vision and motivation were always a part of each and every visit. He made our players and this old coach feel valued and special for our efforts. Everything he touched turned to GOLD! God Bless.
Dave Jacobson (Iowa City City High, West Delaware, Cedar Rapids Jefferson & North Scott)
Brian Patchen
July 13, 2017
I am sorry to hear of Bobby's passing and send my prayers to Bump and Bobby's family.
Dean Clasen
July 13, 2017
My prayers and sympathies to the Elliot family. My contacts with Bob were a few brief encounters during the multiple coaching tenures with the Cyclones in Ames. As brief as the the contacts were, he was still able to make me feel as if we were life-long friends with no more information than that I knew Jo in high school. He was a most engaging person and it is easy to see why he was so successful at all that he did.
Alan Schaefer
July 12, 2017
My heartfelt sympathies to the entire Elliott family. I knew Bump Elliott before I knew Bob. Mr. Elliott was our AD during my time as a Hawkeye. A wonderful man, leader, and compassionate figure young men needed at that time in their lives. Then Bob came onto the squad when I was a senior. He was talented, enthusiastic, hard working, tough, and always upbeat. We only shared one year together but we shared jersey number 18. We both were former quarterbacks that ultimately made their way to defensive back with Coach Harbaugh. After graduation, from time to time I would go to games and would flag Coach Elliott down ahead of the game. Always a smile, always a kind word, always a great Hawkeye. We all were so very proud of him. I was privileged to have passed through his orbit if only for a brief time.
Bob Schardt
July 12, 2017
From 3rd floor Hillcrest to L.A. on Johnson St. Classmate, teammate, roommate, most of all, a great friend who was always there if you needed him. My heartfelt sympathies go out to joey and family and the Elliotts. Rest in Peace Bobby.
Bob Bell
July 11, 2017
My heartfelt prayers go out to the Elliott family for the loss of Coach E! I was recruited by Coach Elliott to play for the Cardinals of Ball State in 1980. He was the most respectful recruiter to my parents and was instrumental in making me feel Ball State was like meeting a bunch of friends I had known all my life! He was a fiery competitor on the field coaching the defensive backs and a true professional and a dedicated mentor to all he influenced in the game we still love! Rest In Peace Coach E you will always be remembered!
Jack Harbaugh
July 11, 2017
Pick a word, any word, to describe the ultimate qualities sought in a student-athlete and Bobby Elliott epitomized that quality. I coached Bobby in the 1972 football season and remember him as a tough, kind and caring teammate, playing with a cast on his arm and an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Jackie, John, Jim, Joani and I send Joey, family and friends our condolences and prayers.
Barb Goodrich
July 11, 2017
I am so very sorry that Bob was taken while he had so much more life to live for. I knew he from his time in Ann Arbor as he was friends with my older brothers and his sister Betsy, who was a year ahead of me in school, was also in girl scouts with me. My deepest sympathies to the Elliott family.
Barb Goodrich
Cedar Falls IA
Katy McCarney Mayer
July 10, 2017
Love to all the Elliotts from the McCarney family. If there's an afterlife, PJ and Junebug, along with Bobby's mom, Barbara, will be welcoming Bobby with open arms. Bobby and Dan have been like brothers since they played ball and lived in that crazy "Little Appalachia" house during college. Bobby has left a great legacy. Much sympathy for the loss of this courageous and kind man.
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