Robert "Bob" Eugene Ivins

June 26, 1933 - November 18, 2017

Robert “Bob” Eugene Ivins, age 84, of Albia, left this Earth to be with the Lord on November 18, 2017 at Oakwood Specialty Care under the care of Hospice of Central Iowa. His family is comforted knowing he was welcomed with open arms by family and friends. Bob was born on June 26, 1933 in Leon, Iowa to Heston and Beatrice (Martin) Ivins. He grew up in Wapello County and graduated from the Ottumwa High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps. in 1953 where he was on the rifle marksmen team and a signalman on aircraft carriers. He returned to Ottumwa in 1956 to work for his dad. He met Lola Baker and they were married on November 2, 1956. He graduated from then Parson’s College in the fall of 1960 and then from Iowa State University in 1962 with a Master’s Degree. Bob worked as a wildlife biologist and taught at several universities. They settled in Northern Minnesota with his family where he taught high school and sold real estate. In 1985, they returned home to Southern Iowa with his family. He enjoyed writing cowboy poetry and cowboy related events. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years Lola; his daughter, Lora (Randy) Bakalar; his grandchildren, Cody and Libby Bakalar; sisters-in-law, Norma Barnes, Gayle Hastings, Betty Baker and Hazel Baker; a brother-in-law, Harry Monroe and many nieces and nephews. Meeting him in heaven were his parents, Heston and Beatrice; a sister, V. Maxine (Ivins/Monroe) Carson and many more loving relatives and friends. His family will have a visitation on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia with Bob’s family present from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Honoring Bob’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private family burial will be at a later date. A memorial has been established to the Salvation Army or the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial in Albia.