Robert R."Bob" Bence 1946 - 2007

BENCE, MESSMER, MERRILL, HIBBS, WARNER, PICKERING

Posted By: Debbie (email)
Date: 6/17/2007 at 14:23:47

The Burlington Hawkeye, Sunday, June 17, 2007

Bob Bence
Robert R. "Bob" Bence, 60, of Burlington, died at 6:10 PM Friday, June 15, 2007, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born August 25, 1946, in Burlington, he was the son of Cecil Raymond and Marjorie Rose Messmer Bence. On May 21, 1966, he married Marsha Ann Merrill in Burlington.

Mr. Bence was an inspector for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant for 30 years. He retired in 1997.

He was a 1964 graduate of Burlington High School.

He was a U.S. Army veteran where he was a medic stationed in Fort Hood, TX from November 1965 until November 1967. Among other honors, he was a sharp shooter and expert rifleman. He served in the 1st Armored Division, "Old Ironside".

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a lifetime member of Burlington AmVets #29 and the National Rifle Association. He loved hunting, reloading ammunition and target shooting. He was very patriotic and loved the American flag. He was very kind to his family and friends and enjoyed buying them presents. He was an avid history buff, enjoyed music, singing along to music, and his cat, Baby.

Survivors include his wife, Marsha of Burlington; one son, Bill (Melanie) Bence of Ankeny; one daughter, Tami (Larry) Hibbs of Burlington; three grandchildren, Brandon Hibbs, Noah Hibbs, and Ethan Bence; his identical twin brother, Bill (Teresa) Bence of West Burlington; twin sisters, Julie (Gary) Warner of Burlington, and Judi (Gary) Pickering of Wapello, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, and his father-in-law.

Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM, Monday, June 18, with the family to receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Bence will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, June 19, at the Chapel of the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Tom Smith officiating. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.

A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.

A photo tribute can be viewed Monday and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Bob's obituary at www.hassthielen.com