Ennis, Robert D. (1937-2013)

ENNIS, WIKLE, BARTHELMES, WORK

Posted By: C Tucker (email)
Date: 10/17/2015 at 10:51:57

The Register
Des Moines, IA

Robert Ennis
Des Moines

Robert D. Ennis passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, August 14, with Mary and Jay by his side. We will celebrate Bob's life at Grace UM Church, 37th and Cottage Grove, with a visitation from 5-7:30pm on Tuesday, August 20, and funeral service at 11am followed by lunch on Wednesday, August 21. Bob was born on May 2, 1937, in Marshalltown, IA, to Leonard and Elma Ennis. He grew up in the West End of Marshalltown with good buddies who remained life-long friends. Bob bought his first car in 8th grade with money earned from his paper route which included delivering newspapers at the Iowa Soldiers' Home. That car was full of kids all the time. He played football for the Marshalltown Bobcats, and graduated in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Wikle, on Sept. 1, 1956; they moved to Des Moines in 1960. Bob's greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband and father. He and Mary were blessed with three children, Teri, Tammy, and Jay. When he wasn't working, Bob loved spending time playing catch, fixing bikes, shooting baskets, and attending sports and other activities. His children were the smartest kids in the world, until he had grandchildren. Bob began his 42-year career with the Des Moines Public Schools in 1962, as a custodian sweeping the boss' office. When he retired as District Supervisor of Custodians and Security in 1996, he was the occupant of that office. He then began a second career as a bus associate, caring for students in wheelchairs, getting them to school, and delivering them safely back home. He enjoyed this until esophageal cancer and a heart attack slowed him down in 2004. Bob was happiest when he had a job to do, was known for his generosity and was always ready to lend a helping hand. In the summer he liked to mow the yard, and in the winter he liked to fire up his yard tractor with the snow blade and clean off the neighborhood sidewalks and driveways for as long as his oxygen tank would last. He kept his cars oh-so-clean, and was even seen washing his car in the rain. He enjoyed camping, feeding the birds - especially cardinals, golf (he had a hole in one), vanilla ice cream, malted milk balls, and was famous for his popcorn balls. Even as his health began to decline due to COPD, he maintained a positive attitude and delighted and inspired others by decorating his oxygen tank with colored lights to match the season. He enjoyed Golden K Kiwanis, the Neighbors Sunday School class, church services at Grace and the little children there - sometimes to the extent that he earned an elbow nudge by Mary. He and Mary are grateful for the excellent care he received from his doctors and healthcare workers. He enjoyed the camaraderie with the wonderful staff and friends he made at the Methodist Rehab Exercise gym. Surviving are his wife and best friend of 56 years, Mary Ennis, his children and their spouses, Teri and Dave Barthelmes (Wisconsin), Tammy Ennis, and Jay Ennis and Courtney Work (Des Moines). "Grampy" delighted in his grandchildren, Mike and Andy Barthelmes, Deidra, Shae, and Blythe Ennis, Ian and Olivia Graham. Bob is further survived by a brother and sister-in-law, David and Gloria Ennis of Colorado, and their daughters Karen and Sandi, as well as a brother-in-law and his wife, Jim and Lynne Wikle, and their sons Jack and David, of Iowa. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jim Ennis. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church.