Robert "Bob" Urich

Robert (Bob) Milo Urich, 84, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2021, with family by his side at Broadlawns Medical Center.

A public visitation will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. in Des Moines, on Friday, February 12, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. Face coverings must be worn and social distancing is encouraged. A private family service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Bob will be laid to rest at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Bob grew up in Des Moines and went to high school at Woodside. As a sophomore he met the love of his life, Margaret Gillman, who he always referred to as “Marg.” After dating three years, they married on August 19, 1955. His best man at the wedding was Don Lamberti and they remained good friends throughout the years. Bob and Margaret bought an acreage in Des Moines, Iowa in 1964 and raised their four children there. Bob worked for Weitz Construction Company until “some guy drew him a picture of how to shoe a horse” and horseshoeing became his career and passion. He loved every minute of shoeing horses and the customers he shod for. He acquired the nickname “Rapid” because of the speed in which he could shoe a horse. Bob had a hard time giving it up when he got older. He told his kids that he was no longer shoeing horses but they caught him many times doing just that. His work ethic was off the charts. His hard-working hands reflected many years of holding a hammer.

Bob had a passion for horses. Weekends were filled attending horseshows when the kids were young. Bob and Margaret got involved in racing quarter horses at Prairie Meadows when it opened. Bob was a board member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Association. Bob and Margaret had a successful breeding program and won many stakes races. Bob and Margaret were entered into the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame.

Bob loved basketball and enjoyed cheering on the Hawkeyes against the Iowa State Cyclones that his grandson Mike Colyn favored.

After Margaret passed away in 2006, Janet Rinehart entered his life and he enjoyed and cherished their relationship as a couple until her passing in December of 2020.

Bob’s favorite place to eat was Norwood Bar & Grill. In his free time, he loved to go to junk sales where he was always in search of another garden hose.

Bob loved his horses and they meant everything to him. Bob’s children never asked him to choose between them and his horses knowing what the answer would be. His favorite place in the world was in his tackroom at his barn with his “morning coffee crew” consisting of Ed Holland and Billy Landers. He was very thankful for his “dream team” of Patrick Corrigan, Sunny Landers and Terry Landers for taking care of his farm and horses. He loved his grandchildren. He had a special spot in his heart for his nieces, Valerie Pettus. and Shelley Radcliff.

Bob is survived by his four children; Jodi Urich, Lori Hargens (Bob), Jon Urich (Susie) and Linda Baker (Greg); his grandchildren Mike Colyn, (Tessa), Tanner Hargens (Stephanie), Rob Urich (Alisha), Ashley Bennigsdorf (David), JR Baker (Amy) and Sarah Hughlock (James); his great grandchildren Trula Hargens, Waylon Hargens, Dylan Hughlock, Paisley Baker, Colton Bennigsdorf and Briar Urich.

He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Urich, Janet Rinehart; parents Milo and Marion Urich, great grandson Kaden Bennigsdorf; sister Charlotte Hasselman; sister-in-law Mavis (Norman) Whitney; and other extended family members.

The family requests that cards and charitable donations be sent “In memory of Bob Urich” to P.O. Box 5, Altoona, Iowa 50009, for charities to be chosen by the family at a later date.

Condolences may be shared with the family at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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