Robert Bensmiller

Robert James "Bob" Bensmiller 59, of Shellsburg, formerly of Mount Vernon, died Thursday July 6, 2006 in his home from a nearly two year battle with cancer. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., Monday at St. Jude Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids by the Reverends Mark Reasoner and Jerry Schik. The casket will be open from 9:30 until service time Monday at the church. Friends may call Sunday from 2:00 until 4:30 p.m., at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, where the Scripture Service begins at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Burial at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Lisbon with military rites. Survivors include his wife of twenty eight years, Ruth of Shellsburg; a daughter Pamela Bensmiller of Chicago, Illinois; four sisters: Carolyn and husband Dick Kelly of Spring Hill, Florida, Mary and husband Harry Armstrong Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas, Frances "Fran" and husband Nile Lanning of Nevada, and Linda and husband Larry Ridgway of Allenport, Pennsylvania; a brother Dick and significant other Janelle Harczynski of Scottsdale, Arizona; and "adopted" daughter Kelly Karns of Cedar Rapids. Preceding Bob in death were: a son Aaron, his parents, a brother Earl, and a niece Monique Armstrong-Vann. Bob was born, September 28, 1946 at Des Moines, the son of James and Veronica Davis Bensmiller. The family moved to Mount Vernon from New Castle, Pennsylvania in 1953. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1964. Bob served in the U.S. Army as a Morse Code Operator during the Viet Nam War stationed in Italy, and was a member of the Hahn-Howard American Legion Post #480 of Mount Vernon. He was married to Joan Rieder from 1968 until 1976. Robert married Ruth E. Rauch at Cedar Rapids March 17, 1978. Bob worked with his mentor Harry Suchomel at the Hawkeye Record Newspaper (The Sun) in Mount Vernon. After his military duty, he worked for three years as a printer at the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Bob worked as an engineer for the CRANDIC Railroad in Cedar Rapids, retiring in February 2005. He was the creator and editor of the "Rip-Track Newsletter" a publication for CRANDIC employees and retirees. Bob was a member of the United Transportation Union. Bob's many community activities included: membership at St. Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, also volunteering for the Lion's Club and service on the Library Board at Shellsburg. Bob served on the Board of Directors of Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg, and was past President of Hillcrest Country Club in Mount Vernon. Golf was his passion and his proudest golf moments were winning the Tee Off for Cancer - Nine Hole Tournament in Cedar Rapids, the year after his father passed away, and making a hole in one at the Muscatine Golf Course in 1980. For many years, Bob held the Jones Park Golf course record. He loved to see young people learn the game of golf, emphasizing the importance of golf etiquette. Bob treasured spending time with his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He often talked about playing golf with nephews Jim and David. Bob's pride and joy were his children and the love of his life, Ruth. Robert will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched. Memorial donations in memory of Bob can be sent to the Iowa-Chapter of the American Cancer Society, 4080 1st Ave. N.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; Hospice of Mercy, 2740 1st Ave. N.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 or to the Robert Bensmiller Memorial Fund. Condolences may be left on-line at: www.morganfuneralchoices.com