Robert Lewis Sheets Jr.

Robert, affectionately known by his family and friends as Bob, passed away at the age of 80 in Denver, Colorado. It was a beautiful fall day that led into a cool, dark and stormy night. The heavens were preparing for one heck of a welcoming party with loud booms and flashing lights.

Bob was born in Lebanon, Missouri, but lived there for only a short time. He spent his entire growing up years in Ollie, Iowa. He went to Pekin High School in Pekin, Iowa and graduated in 1963.

Bob attended the University of Iowa from 1963-1967 where he spent most of his time at the “beer joint” but managed to easily graduate with a degree in psychology by hardly going to class and helping others pass the midterms and final exams. He knew what was next for him, so he joined ROTC for his last 2 years in college. Once the cap flew at the University of Iowa, the wings came on as he went on to the United States Air Force and honorably served in the Vietnam war. He flew missions at night for Operation Blind Bat. He flew C130 Hercules and every night before taking off they would play Bad Moon Rising by Credence Clearwater Revival.

Captain R L Sheets Jr was honorably discharged in 1972 and became an air traffic controller. His colleagues started asking him for investing advice as he was very interested in gold, silver and the stock market. Bob knew air traffic control was a pit stop, not a career. A short time later, his dad (rumored to be a very savvy investor and the only one in their town to get the Wall Street Journal) encouraged him to go talk to his Edward Jones representative, Chuck Espy, in Fairfield Iowa. The day he walked out of that office he knew that was the gig for him!

He started his Edward Jones career in Muscatine, Iowa on October 6, 1980, and never looked back. He had a 36-year career with Edward Jones in Muscatine. He worked with hundreds of families (he was so proud that for one family, this went five generations deep) to help clients create wealth. He made a difference in countless lives of clients and fellow advisors at Edward Jones across the country. The impact he has made for these families is immeasurable. Bob loved to go to work, and he loved to go home! If you have a chance, google and read “The Richest Man in America” by Ted Jones... that was Dad’s Northstar.

He was a pillar in the community of Muscatine serving as President for the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, and United Way. He was a member of the board of directors for several years at Geneva Country Club. He was also one of the “founding fathers” of Muscatine Charites Inc., and was selected for the first Leadership Muscatine class.

For Bob, home was his beloved wife, Pat. He used to say, “I could go or be anywhere as long as Pat is with me”. They were married for 52 years. Bob and Pat met in Kansas City where they eventually got married, after Pat proposed, in August of 1973. They grew very deep roots in Muscatine for 44 years, the kind of roots only a small town can nourish. They moved to Muscatine in 1980 and a couple of years later welcomed their one and only child, Rebecca Lockhart Sheets. Rebecca immediately became the joy of Bob’s life, and he successfully made sure she knew it every day of his life. She has followed in his footsteps and is in her 16th year with Edward Jones in Denver, Colorado. But most of all she will honor his legacy with kindness every day.

If Bob wasn’t at the office or on the golf course, he was warm and snug in his chair reading his latest book with no doubt a Jack Daniels within reach. Bob, Pat and Rebecca traveled the world together, but Bob and Pat equally loved a Sunday drive through the Iowa countryside. Being together was what they loved!

Bob often combined travel and golf by playing with his buddies all over the world. A highlight of his year was always the, now named, “Hawkeye Cup” in Florida that started in 1990 with Bob and three of his earliest and closest Edward Jones guys, Doug, Mike and David. This tradition grew through the years by adding new “Jones guys” and the tradition continues on today. Watch out fellas, he’s bound to make an appearance in the years to come in his own way!

Bob Sheets is a feeling. If you were lucky enough to be in his presence, you know this feeling. He made you feel like you were the only one in the room and the most important person in the world. He was kind, he was loyal, but he rarely did something he didn’t want to do. He didn’t talk to talk, so when he started speaking, you would listen.

While we slowly lost Bob over the last several years to Alzheimer’s, the qualities that made him, HIM, remained true. He was always asking “what can I do for you?”, “how are you doing?” and full of gratitude. “Glad to be here” was his latest saying thanks to the Blue Angels, but he was full of Bobisms…. Such as: “Not yet!” When asked if had read all the books on his shelf, “Somebody take me home!” When he was ready to leave the party or hit his limit, “Work hard and have fun” what he told Rebecca every day when he dropped her off at school and every day since and “Good going!” when he witnessed someone doing something great. He often said this in his final weeks to all his incredible nurses.

After 44 years in Muscatine, they moved to Denver, CO to be near Rebecca and her husband, Rob.

It was during this move in April of 2024 they found out he had lung cancer and so began months of treatments and appointments. Later came the “official” diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in March of 2025 and in September of 2025 it was discovered that the lung cancer had metastasized to his brain. Thank the good Lord this last battle was short, but also sweet and full of nothing but love, a beautiful fall drive through the mountains of Colorado and several trips to get ice cream! But most of all, full of more hugs and kisses from his friends, family, wife and daughter than any man could handle!

On the afternoon of October 27th, 2025 Bad Moon Rising was played for him one last time, giving him the message “hope you got your things together, hope you are quite prepared to die, looks like we’re in for nasty weather” as he miraculously tapped his left foot it was obviously striking a chord. Bob was ready to go as he told his wife, daughter and son in law the day before he didn’t want anyone in the room and he was done. After we all said our goodbyes, told him how much we loved him he took his final breath alone, “Bob Sheets style”, a very short time after his family left his cozy room for the final time…

Thanks for coming, Bob Sheets!!!!!

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Sheets, daughter, Rebecca Sheets, Son-in-law, Rob Miller, half-brother, Roger Runkle (Mick Runkle), Brother, Steve aka Bungus Sheets (Lyndell Sheets), Sister, Linda Nixon (Bill Nixon). He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Louis Sheets, Sr. and Vera Lockhart Sheets.

Services will be held at St. Mary & Mathias Catholic Church, 215 W 8th St, Muscatine, IA 52761 on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 10:30AM. A celebration of life and reception will be held at Geneva Country Club, 3100 Bidwell Rd, Muscatine, IA 52761, immediately after. A Military honor will be held at Geneva at 2pm.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to every single employee at Clermont Park Skilled Nursing facility, in Denver, Colorado for their truly one-of-a-kind compassionate care during Bob’s final weeks. We are eternally grateful for the love, grace and dignity provided while he was in your care. There truly are no words and you will all be forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, Muscatine Charities Inc., or the Lung Cancer Association in Bob’s honor.