Robert Owen SHERIFF

SHERIFF, NUEHRING, SCHWADE, HARRIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

August 14, 1943 --- April 30, 2021

Robert "Bob" O. Sheriff, age 77, of Belmond, IA, passed away on April 30, 2021, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond, following a month-long battle with health issues at the University of Iowa Hospital. A Public Celebration of Life will be held August 14, 2021 from 3-5pm, at the Goodell Community Hall, Goodell, IA.

Robert Owen Sheriff, the son of William Harrison and Dorothy Laurena (Nuehring) Sheriff was born August 14, 1943, on his parent’s farm south of Belmond. He and his family moved to a farm west of Goodell when he was 3 years old and lived there for a number of years.

Bob began his education in the grade school at Goodell and eventually went on to attend Belmond Community Schools, graduating from Belmond High School in the Class of 1961. Bob furthered his education at Iowa State University, where he graduated with a major in Farm Operations and a minor in Botany. While there he was employed in the College of Forestry Greenhouse. Bob's years at Iowa State allowed him opportunities to travel around Europe and Hawaii as part of his membership in the Ag Travel Course, to study farming techniques. After graduating Bob continued to work for ISU on their research farms at Independence and Kanawha, Iowa. In 1975 he purchased his own farm North of Goodell.

Bob was united in marriage to Betty E. Schwade, on May 23, 1976 at her parental home near Nora Springs, IA. Their union was blessed with a daughter Susan and son John.

Following their marriage Bob and Betty continued to farm and raised their family north of Goodell. Bob loved life on the farm, plants and tending to his livestock. Bob always had a large garden and from its bounties the family always had their fill of healthy eating. Bob taught his kids the importance of gardening and caring for animals and they applied these skills to their 4-H activities and throughout their lives. In 2000 Bob and Betty moved from their farm in rural Goodell to their current home in Belmond.

Bob was always up for a good conversation and never met a stranger as once you talked with Bob it was as if he knew you his whole life. He had great compassion for all people. He loved to look after and spend time with his mom Dorothy and he was always willing to help others, to lend a hand or help someone in need.

Bob loved to scrounge, was an avid collector, and did a great amount of scrapping over the years. If he wasn't attending an auction or searching for that next relic his pickup might be found North of Goodell where he would be tinkering or looking after sheep and other livestock that he might have bought at Colfax or another sale. Often times one might stop to visit with Bob at this favorite get away and be greeted with the sound of NPR News filling the airways, One might also see Bob strolling about Belmond in his gray-striped bib overalls as he tidied up the local laundromat or picking up cans about town. Bob was a consummate, lifelong learner and was always wanting to keep up with the latest happenings of the world.

His memory will be carried forward in the hearts and minds of his wife Betty Sheriff, Belmond, IA, daughter Susan Sheriff, Des Moines, IA, son John (Devna) Sheriff, Ames, IA, his sister Beverly Harris, Herndon, VA, Aunt Inez, Unionville, Missouri, Uncle Keith (Wilma) Nuehring, Webster City, IA and numerous cousins.

Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, Iowa.