John Robert Ims

John Robert 'Bob' Ims passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends around the country and Bob's smile will remain in our hearts forever.

Bob was born June 20, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio. He was the youngest son of Helen J (Heredovsky) and Harold J Ims and he grew up with three older brothers: Charles, Richard and Edward.

The family moved to a farm near Pickerington, OH when he was seven which turned out to be the basis of the most formative period of his childhood. Five years later his parents brought the family to New Jersey, finally settling in Glen Rock. He graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1956 and went on to Brown University to graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960.

He was employed by Raytheon Company and moved to Rhode Island where he began his career as a design engineer. There he met and married Anita V. (Kristiansen) in 1961. The couple spent their married life on Aquidneck Island raising their four children.

Bob retired from Raytheon a Principal Engineer in 1995 but he didn't sit still in retirement. His drive to keep an active mind and widen his skills led him to join a firm that specialized in carbon fiber and fiberglass fabrication. A year later he was back in electronics repairing sophisticated navigation and communication equipment on boats that were so plentiful in the Newport area.

Just shy of their 40th wedding anniversary, Anita passed away in 2001, a great loss. Bob mourned her passing for two years. In 2003 he finally decided that life had more to give and he met Elizabeth H (Bourns) in the Fall of 2003 and a year later they married. He finally retired fully in 2007 and moved to Venice FL where he spent his time very actively pursuing swimming, tennis, kayaking, bicycling, and pickle ball.

Bob met many new friends and acquaintances, and volunteered for the local hospital and other non-profit endeavors, including Agape Flights. He and Liz also traveled abroad extensively. Elizabeth passed away in 2014.

Bob is survived by his children; Jerry Ims of Portsmouth RI, Paul Ims of Portsmouth RI, Tom Ims of Conifer, CO and Desiree Ims DeAscentis of Los Angeles, CA as well as his grandchildren Skyler Ims, Eric Ims, Jessica Ims, Christina DeAscentis and Anthony DeAscentis. He also is survived by his brothers Richard Ims of Port Charlotte, FL and Edward Ims of Clarks Summit, PA.

Bob was always so thankful for a life lived, where he was positive the angels were working overtime to protect him. He is surely continuing his journey trying to give back for the wonderful life he was given.