Robert “Bob” E. Clinton
Robert “Bob” Edward Clinton, 72, of Guttenberg, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, no services will be held at this time.
A celebration of life is being planned when it is safe for all of us to be together again.
Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Guttenberg, assisted the family.
Bob was born on Aug. 18, 1948, at the Guttenberg Hospital in Guttenberg, the son of Gerald and Katherine (Roth) Clinton.
Bob received his education in Guttenberg where he graduated from St. Mary’s High School with the class of 1967. He furthered his education at the Northeast Iowa Technical Institute in Calmar in the areas of welding and auto mechanics. Bob also briefly served in the U.S. Air Force and received an honorable discharge.
On July 19, 1969, Bob was united in marriage with Bonnie Sue Nuehring at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg and was blessed with two children, Michelle Lee and Jon James. Many years later they divorced. Bob later married Dawn Berns on Aug. 17, 2013.
Over the years, Bob was employed at several places, Brown’s Ford as a mechanic, John Deere as a welder, Knospe Construction, Bituma, Carlson Construction as a mechanic, MPC as maintenance, and coming full circle before his retirement by working at Brown’s Sales and Leasing as an RV mechanic.
Bob was community-minded by serving as a volunteer firefighter, little league coach, and Troop 40 Scout leader in the 1980s.
Bob had several favorite pastimes, and all involved engines, hunting, and family. In his younger days, Bob was known for tearing up the street of Guttenberg in his blue ‘57 Chevy, and then later with his pride and joy: his Plum Crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger. That love of cars led him to race stock cars for a few years in the early ‘70s. He loved muscle cars, throaty V8s, and watching NASCAR races, even before NASCAR was popular. Pa enjoyed sharing this love with his best buddy, his grandson, Brett. Bob was known as a “crack shot” hunter. You didn’t want to be a Motor Mill buck, a Mississippi duck, or ring-necked pheasant if he was around. He also loved fishing for bluegills and catfish either in the Mississippi or on one of the many annual trips to Mankato, Minn. Bob shared this love of hunting with his son, Jon, and his kids.
Bob had several favorites such as the color purple, old TV westerns, Winchester and Daisy BB guns, ‘50s and ‘60s music (especially the Beach Boys), dirt-track racing, flea markets, shrimp, a good steak, Brandy Alexanders, and his dogs, Winchester and Benelli.
Bob was a generous person in life. He was known for being “over the top” in everything he did. If he built it, it was indestructible. If it involved family, he would literally give you the shirt off of his back; he would do ANYTHING for family. Bob also loved his sweets, and was even known as “The Candy Man.” He always had a pocket full of hard candies, or a bag of Brach’s mix in the front seat. He’d hand out a piece of candy to everyone he met.
Bob will be forever remembered by his wife, Dawn; two children, Michelle (James) Fassbinder, and Jon (Dana) Clinton; five grandchildren, Brett “Brett Michael” Felder, Jayna “Jayna Babe” (Garrett) Bizzell, Kambrie “Kambrie Kid,” Katelyn “Katelyn Rose,” and Conner “Conner Dude” Clinton; step-children, Sarah (Brad) Adrian and Jordan (Erica Maahs) Thoma; step-grandchildren, Tyler, Ella, Trenton, Gavin, Aiden, Peyton, Carsyn, and Robert; three siblings, James (Bonnie J.) Clinton, Susan (Owen) Hess, and Tom Clinton; his first wife, Bonnie Sue Clinton, and many other nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, John; son-in-law Christopher Felder; grandson Ryan Christopher Felder; and nephew, Michael Clinton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made given to a charity of your choice or sent to: Michelle Fassbinder, 606 S. Bluff St., Gutenberg, IA 52052.
In Bob’s own words, “Just be damn careful out there! Be good and see you later, gang!”
