Leydens, Robert "Bob" 1939-2017

LEYDENS, VAN GORP, ROSS, SNELLER, JONES, ANDERSON, HAAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/28/2017 at 12:25:12

In Memory of Robert “Bob” Leydens
Bob Leydens
Formerly of Pella, Iowa
January 18, 1939 – January 26, 2017
Age 78

DIED
January 26, 2017
Altoona, Iowa

MEMORIAL SERVICE
2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 4, 2017
With visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS
MEMORIALS MAY BE GIVEN TO:
Unity Point Hospice – Taylor House
Gladys Black Eagle Project

FAMILY
Wife: Sherry Leydens – Altoona
Children: Gayle and Verle Van Gorp – Knoxville
Dana and Lucia Leydens – Otley
Step-son: Nick Ross – Russell

TRIBUTE
Robert Lee Leydens was born January 18, 1939, to Reuben and Peternella (Sneller) Leydens, in Pella, Iowa. He passed away on January 26, 2017, in Altoona, Iowa.

Bob was a 1957 graduate of Pella Community High School. He enlisted in the Army in 1957, and was honorably discharged in 1959. In 1961, Bob married Lois Van Arkel. To this union they were blessed with two children: a daughter, Gayle and a son, Dana. In 1978, Robert married Sherry Ross. They made their home in Pella for many years before moving to Des Moines and later, Altoona.

Bob spent most of his life in the automobile business. For many years he worked alongside his father and his brother, C.L. Leydens, in their family dealership in Pella: later owning the local AMC/Jeep franchise. He continued to work in the car business until 2001, when he retired. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed all things automotive, from racing to restoring vintage cars. An avid fisherman, Bob enjoyed spending time at Lake Red Rock, fishing and watching the wildlife, especially the bald eagles.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Sherry, his children, step-son and their families:

Gayle and Verle Van Gorp of Knoxville
Amy (Shane) Jones
Adam (Lauren) Van Gorp

Dana and Lucia Leydens of Otley
Nick Ross of Russell, Iowa
Nicole Anderson
William Ross

Bob is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and by his brother C.L. and Patty Leydens of Pella.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ruby Haan and one great-grandchild. ~ The Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa Thurs 26 Jan 2017.