Robert Leroy Rutenbeck

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Robert Leroy “Bob” Rutenbeck, 96, of Port Townsend, died peacefully on May 17, in his home with his loving son, Tom, at his bedside.Bob was born August 6, 1920, in Lost Nation, Iowa, the son of Harry and Leta Rutenbeck.

Bob was born with rhythm and the love of words in his heart (his father played mean ragtime piano, his Aunt Rica was the editor of the Lost Nation News). At thirteen, Bob’s percussion skills took the Lost Nation High School band to a state championship. He played in the Navy Band during World War II, with the Clinton Symphony and the “Mellow Tones” for many years, then with the Port Townsend, Washington, Summer Band.

Bob married Marjorie Harrington of DeWitt, in 1942.

After the war he earned a BA in journalism at the University of Iowa where he wrote for the Daily Iowan and worked as a photographer.

In 1950 Bob and Marge moved to Clinton where Bob became a popular realtor, insurance agent, supporter of the Lions Club, founding member of the Unitarian Fellowship, and aficionado of golf, fishing, gardening and “bon mots.”

In 2000 “Iowa Bob” and Marge followed their son Tom to Port Townsend, Washington, where he made many friends, all of whom enjoyed his encyclopedic knowledge, his wit, his kindness and his sense of humor.

Bob loved his pool playing buddies, his birds and his plants. But his greatest love was engaging with people and giving them a good laugh. “Bob,” he would say—“that’s ‘Bob’ – with one ‘O’!”

“Iowa Bob” is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Marjorie; his brother Harry “Bud” (Jackie) Rutenbeck of Clinton; son Tom Rutenbeck (Joanna Sanders) of Port Townsend; daughters Heidi Mulac of Iowa City and Vicki Stollmeyer (David) of Glen Ellen, California; 7 grand children and nine great-grand children.

He is preceded in death by his brother William and Heidi’s husband Jim Mulac.

There will be a celebration of Bob’s life at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 2333 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend this Sunday, July 30th at 2 PM. Bob’s ashes will be returned to his beloved state of Iowa.