Robert “Bob” Henry Hendricks

Robert “Bob” Henry Hendricks

Robins

Robert “Bob” Henry Hendricks, 72, of Robins, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. On Friday, February 14, friends and family are invited to celebrate his life, on his birthday from 9:00 – 10:30 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church (4901 Council Street NE) in Cedar Rapids. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10:30 am. Military honors will immediately follow Mass. Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

Bob was born February 14, 1952 in Appleton, Wisconsin. He was the fifth of fourteen children to Mary Jane (Klister) and Leo Hendricks, born on the same day as his brother, just two years apart. He grew up on a farm near Little Chute, Wisconsin, and attended Ebben School, a one room schoolhouse with only an outhouse, for grades 1-8. He attended Kaukauna High School from 1966-1970. Bob completed his Basic Training for the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He served as a Cryptanalytic Specialist and an Airborne Paratrooper while serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Benning, Georgia, from 1971-1974. Following his time in the military, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering (1974-1979) where he studied to become an Electrical Engineer and forged life-long friendships.

After completing college, he joined Rockwell Collins, which brought him to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he met Sandy Westhoff. On June 10, 1983, they were married at St. Mary’s Church in Guttenberg, Iowa. Together, they had two daughters: Holly Ann and Carrie Lynn.

He worked at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids for 44 years (1979-2023) as a Senior Principal Electrical Engineer. Bob’s work was very important to him. He was a hard worker and took great pride in the many projects, including flight simulator designs, he worked on throughout the years.

In May 2023, Bob went on an Honor Flight with his good friend, Sherm Sweeney.

He enjoyed NASCAR (Mark Martin was his favorite driver) and cheering on his Green Bay Packers. He loved tinkering in the garage with his cars, which included his green ’70 Chevelle Super Sport, red ’64 Chevelle, white ’64 El Camino, grey ’87 Monte Carlo, blue ‘78 Mustang hatchback, and a black ‘04 Ford Mustang GT. He also liked to collect coins and garden. His favorite food was mashed potatoes, and his favorite movies included: Top Gun, Mission Impossible and James Bond.

Bob was a kind-hearted, gentle soul with a dry sense of humor. He always had a story from his past to share with others. He had a genuine smile, although he didn’t show it often. He was very generous, making sure his family’s needs were taken care of before he thought of himself. In July 1983, he donated a kidney to his sister, Darlene. His selfless gift brought her eight more years of life. He loved spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren. He was devoted to his faith as a member of Saint Pius X Church in Cedar Rapids.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sandy (Westhoff) Hendricks, Robins, Iowa; daughters and sons-in-law, Holly (Dan) White and Carrie (Jason) Eastvold; grandchildren, Laura and Hannah Eastvold and Henry and Grace White all from Marion, Iowa; siblings, Joan Hauser, Little Chute, Wisconsin, Diane (Mark) Wallace, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Nancy (Mike) Pingel, Appleton, Wisconsin, Cindy (Bryan) Bolwerk, Appleton, Wisconsin, Paul (Kim) Hendricks, Clintonville, Wisconsin, Barb (Dave) Van De Hey, De Pere, Wisconsin, and Janice (Rich) Garrow, Appleton, Wisconsin; mother-in-law, Betty Westhoff, Dyersville, Iowa; sisters and brother-In law, JoAnn Hendricks, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Cindy (Jody) Crow, Barb Westhoff and Lori Westhoff, all from Guttenberg; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Sherilyn, Donald, Sandra, Darlene, Dennis and Joseph; father-in-law, Floyd Westhoff; and brother-in-law, Gary Westhoff.

Bob’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Mercy Hospital, Hospice of Mercy and the Mercy Hospice House for the wonderful care he received. In lieu of flowers and gifts, all memorials will go toward the wishes of the family.

Dad–We are deeply grateful to you for the countless gifts, lessons, and beautiful memories you shared with us. We will carry it all in our hearts forever. Know that you will live on in the love you’ve given us, and in that love, we will always find you. Cheers!

Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Bob’s Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.