Robert Lee Rear was born on July 17, 1957, in Postville, Iowa, to Dennis and Carla Rear. Bob was somewhat of a bonus baby to his parents, because he was the unexpected twin to his sister, Becky. The family always says that he kicked his sister out that day to the surprise of his parents who had no idea they were going to have twins. He weighed less than four pounds at birth and had a rough start so was baptized three times. Anyone who knew Bob knew he had legions of guardian angels watching over him throughout his life.
Bob and his three sisters grew up together in Clermont. He attended school there and graduated from Valley High School in 1975. After high school, he worked many jobs in the construction and carpentry field, always ready for a new challenge and adding to his great store of knowledge as he went. For more than twenty years, he was a self-employed carpenter. As his kids will tell you, Dad could fix anything. His mother told the story about how, at a very young age, he took a clock apart and put it together again just to see how it worked. He also loved cars and trucks and tore down and rebuilt many motors over the years. There was no job he wouldn’t tackle, usually figuring out a better and easier way to do it, sometimes going so far as inventing a new “tool” to get the job done. He also loved hunting and fishing throughout his life.
Bob married his wife Kathy on May 2, 1981. They were blessed with two children, Bryan, born in 1982, and Kaitlin, born in 1985. They raised their children in Elgin, Iowa, and when the kids were grown, moved to West Union, Iowa, where they lived until Bob’s death on November 11, 2021, at the age of 64 years. Bob lived for his family and loved them well. The great joy of his life was being grandfather to Brianna, Ava and Olivia.
Bob is survived by his wife Kathy, son Bryan Rear, daughter Kaitlin (Tim) Zern, granddaughters Brianna Rear, Ava Zern and Olivia Zern; his father, Dennis Rear; sisters Rebecca (Ron) Herrig, Cindy (Gary) Nelson, and Lori (Bill) Wedeking, nine nephews and two nieces. He is predeceased by his mother Carla Rear, grandparents Millard and Florence Rear, Hazel Rear, and Art and Alberta Matt.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, Iowa. There will also be a half hour visitation before services at the church on Monday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Monday, November 15, 2021 at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Duane Miller as the officiant.
Burial will follow at God’s Acres in Clermont, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Clermont, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.