Robert Whitlatch

Robert Eugene Whitlatch, 83 of Polk City, Iowa passed away March 7, 2023.

Bob is survived by his sister Lela Mae Cameron (Reuben) and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Amos and Gelene Whitlatch, sister Phyllis and brother Larry.

Bob was what you may call a jack of many trades. Working in the grocery store business, an amazing ballroom dancer and retail extraordinaire selling horse equipment.

Horses were one of Bob’s lifelong loves. He and his first horse Major started showing around 1957. Bob gave lessons to little ones for many years.

He and Helen Nymeyer were a dynamic duo for quite a few years before Bob went to work for Schneiders Saddlery. I recently heard that Bob had said while driving his mobile tack trailer - he had never felt so free, leaving all his worries behind, traveling down the road and doing what he loved.

Bob has touched a lot of us “horse people” along the way. He was a constant presence at horse shows - always there if anyone needed something!

In the mid 80’s Bob had another dream come true - he was asked to be a ringmaster at the Arabian Nationals. How can you forget the beautiful lights with the green sawdust on a Saturday night at the Nationals - with Bob right there, in center ring, dressed in one of his best suits and looking dapper and as happy as always.

Bob’s beloved dog Katy was never very far behind him. He loved to pull pranks - whether it was stuffing your shampoo bottle with toilet paper, cups of water over the door or putting saran wrap on the toilet - he loved to laugh. I decided to put raisins in his bed - thought it would be great - thinking he would wake up with raisins stuck to him and he wouldn’t know where they came from. Well - he woke up the next day, said he slept well but Katy was eating something all night long. Moral of the story - never try to out prank Bob Whitlatch!

I’m sure that we all have a great story to share about Bob. He was one of the most generous, kind, funny men we will ever know. The mold was broken with Bob Whitlatch and he will never be forgotten.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund in Bob’s honor. Another chance for him to make a difference for a horseman in need.
http://www.horsemensdistressfund.com

According to Bob’s wishes, there will be no formal services.
Condolences may be left at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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