Robert "Bob" E. Mendenhall

Robert “Bob” Eugene Mendenhall, 85, passed away Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at his home. A visitation for family and friends is planned for Monday October 22, 2018, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th,
Des Moines. A graveside service at Avon Cemetery will follow at 2:30 p.m.

Bob was born October 5, 1933 to Hoyt and Lila (Dudley) Mendenhall in Des Moines. He was a lifelong resident of the Des Moines’ south side. Bob served in the United States Army as a Sargent First Class Combat Engineer in the 630th Engineer Company, from April 1953 through May 1961. This included a 13.5 month tour of duty in the Korean War. He spent his career with the city of Des Moines in the public works department from 1956 through 1988.

Bob was united in marriage to Sylvia (Hayes) Mendenhall on March 22, 1953, and spent 65.5 remarkable years together. Bob was a die-hard NASCAR fan and watched the cup race every Sunday. His favorite driver was “Handsome” Harry Gant from the sports 1980s and early 1990s “because he was a roofer.”

“Good old Bob” or “Grandpa Bob” were good nicknames for him. He did everything for everyone, without asking for anything in return. Bob was a problem solver and could always “build a deal” in the garage to help with a solution. He was extremely fond of his family, and still spoke of his father Hoyt regularly.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; two sons, Robert E. (Juanita) Mendenhall Jr. and Bill Mendenhall; eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and six siblings, Harlan Mendenhall, Helen Milligan, Patricia Beaty, Lyle Mendenhall, Edith Kutchen, and Nancy Marie Mendenhall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Indianola Heights Christian Church http://www.ihccdm.org/home.html or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/give.html.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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