Roy A. Guldenpfennig

1947 - 2025

Roy A. Guldenpfennig

July 6, 1947 - September 27, 2025

Roy A. Guldenpfennig, 78, of Lafayette, IN, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Bettendorf, Iowa while visiting family. Services will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, October 3, 2025 at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Port Byron, IL. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the start of service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Friedens Lutheran Cemetery, Port Byron. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Roy was born July 6, 1947 in Moline, IL, to Raymond and Myrtle (Frels) Guldenpfennig. He is a graduate of Port Byron High School and Black Hawk College. He went on to study engineering at Southern Illinois University. Roy began his career with Tri-State Aero Engineering Co., then went to work as a welder at International Harvester. When IH closed, he went back to school and studied robotics at Hamilton Technical College. He finished his career in robotics, retiring in 2009 from Genesis Systems Group, Davenport, IA.

In his younger days, Roy enjoyed deer hunting with a bow. He and Donna loved taking trips up and down the Mississippi River on their houseboat. He also enjoyed wood carving, doing projects around the house and working in the yard. As the holidays came each year he couldn't wait to decorate with Christmas lights, working on them, and programming them to music. His greatest love was for his family. Roy was a huge supporter of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and attended as many of their events as possible. They affectionately called him "Grandpa Kitty". He was also widely known for always having his pockets full of Dum Dum suckers and other candy that he gave away to those he encountered.

Roy is survived by his wife, Donna Guldenpfennig, Lafayette, IN; son, Christopher Damon Guldenpfennig (Kelley) of Holland, OH: daughter, Kimberly Jay (Craig) Czupka of Lafayette, IN; grandchildren, Ryan Williams (Jennifer), Kayla Williams, Jacob Williams, Roy (Kylie) Guldenpfennig, Miranda Guldenpfennig, Caitlin (Jacob) Buhr, Nicole (Roger) Eldridge, Camille (Nicholas) Collins, Raymond Czupka, Quinten (Ashley) Czupka; and great-grandchildren, Myla, Gunner, Ayla, Kat, Taelyn, Ayda, Hattie, Piper, Vada, Sadie, Sawyer, Ryan, and Summit. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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