Robert J. Dotzler
August 4, 1927 — September 30, 2017
Robert J. Dotzler
August 4, 1927 - September 30, 2017
Bob was the oldest son of Joseph and Leona (Grobmeier) Dotzler. He was born on the family farm on the north end of Defiance. Bob graduated with the class of 1944 from St. Paul’s Catholic School. Throughout his school years and after, Bob worked for his future father-in-law. Upon graduation, he held jobs in Chicago, Illinois; El Segundo, California; and Denver, Colorado until he moved back to Defiance to work in the construction business and to court his childhood sweetheart, Jeanette Kloewer.
Bob and Jeanette (Shun) married on October 2, 1950. They operated a farm east of Defiance from 1954 to 1970. Four children were born of this union: Janie, Nancy, Mike and Debbie.
In 1969, Bob began his career with the Federal Housing Administration as a construction inspector. This career resulted in a move to Storm lake, and eventually, Ankeny, where he worked in the Federal Building in Des Moines. He retired in 1990 and returned to Defiance.
Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed playing sports, particularly baseball. He played on the Defiance town team for many years of his adult life. He was also an avid fisherman, hunter and woodworker.
One of the biggest joys of his life was designing, then building the home where he and his beloved Shun spent their retirement years. The construction and completion was a family effort with much help from all of their children and grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Grace Wilwerding, Kenneth Dotzler.
Survivors include wife Jeanette, children Janie and John Bruck of Omaha, Nebraska; Nancy and Myron Schaben of Defiance, Iowa; Mike and Diane Dotzler of Boone, Iowa; Debbie and Dennis Pfeifer of Arlington, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; brothers Raymond Dotzler of Omaha, Nebraska; Donald Dotzler of Defiance, Iowa; nieces, nephews, and many loving family and friends.
In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made to American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
August 4, 1927 - September 30, 2017
Bob was the oldest son of Joseph and Leona (Grobmeier) Dotzler. He was born on the family farm on the north end of Defiance. Bob graduated with the class of 1944 from St. Paul’s Catholic School. Throughout his school years and after, Bob worked for his future father-in-law. Upon graduation, he held jobs in Chicago, Illinois; El Segundo, California; and Denver, Colorado until he moved back to Defiance to work in the construction business and to court his childhood sweetheart, Jeanette Kloewer.
Bob and Jeanette (Shun) married on October 2, 1950. They operated a farm east of Defiance from 1954 to 1970. Four children were born of this union: Janie, Nancy, Mike and Debbie.
In 1969, Bob began his career with the Federal Housing Administration as a construction inspector. This career resulted in a move to Storm lake, and eventually, Ankeny, where he worked in the Federal Building in Des Moines. He retired in 1990 and returned to Defiance.
Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed playing sports, particularly baseball. He played on the Defiance town team for many years of his adult life. He was also an avid fisherman, hunter and woodworker.
One of the biggest joys of his life was designing, then building the home where he and his beloved Shun spent their retirement years. The construction and completion was a family effort with much help from all of their children and grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Grace Wilwerding, Kenneth Dotzler.
Survivors include wife Jeanette, children Janie and John Bruck of Omaha, Nebraska; Nancy and Myron Schaben of Defiance, Iowa; Mike and Diane Dotzler of Boone, Iowa; Debbie and Dennis Pfeifer of Arlington, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; brothers Raymond Dotzler of Omaha, Nebraska; Donald Dotzler of Defiance, Iowa; nieces, nephews, and many loving family and friends.
In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made to American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
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