Robert D. Bainbridge

BAINBRIDGE, BAZINETTE, BUSCH

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 10/8/2024 at 14:58:23

Robert D. Bainbridge was a creative spark plug in this world. He entered it on June 9, 1945, and exited it fighting, on September 29, 2024. He was a man driven by boundless imagination, creativity and a curiosity for everything around him. He had special devotion to those he loved. His mother, Modesta was sacred to him. His lifelong love Sharon, who he met on a JC Penney escalator in 1962, was his best girl and wife for 55 years. When she first saw him, she will tell you “she had to have him.” They had four children together who they nurtured into free thinkers and doers.

Bob dedicated his life to making art and inspiring others to develop their creative talents as well. He earned a BFA from Loras College, studying under his mentor "Dubuque's Old Master" Fr. Edward Sullivan. Bainbridge also studied Art and Education Administration and Philosophy at the University of Iowa and earned a master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

As a high school art teacher for over 30 years, he fed the creative minds of decades of students and propelled many to pursue careers in both the fine and commercial arts. As a painter he was inspired by nature and drew his watercolor themes from time spent hunting and fishing Iowa's natural landscape. His colorful, fluid and textural style of painting was reflective of those surroundings. In retirement he continued to paint his ideas right up to the very end.

He is survived by his wife Sharon (Kirby) Bainbridge of Independence, IA, his kids Shawn and Shane Bainbridge of Omaha, NE, Tiffany Bainbridge of Brooklyn, NY and his grandson Finn Bainbridge; his brother Gary (Peggy) Bainbridge and sister Sandy Busch, many nieces and nephews and countless friends from near and far.

Bob was preceded in death by his precious son Joshua, his father and mother Alfred and Modesta (Bazinette) Bainbridge, brothers Wayne, Lyle, and David; sisters Marilyn, Darlene and Marsha.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 4, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence, IA. Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7 PM on Thursday, October 3rd, at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA.