Robert W. “Bob” Ask

Robert W. “Bob” Ask

Cedar Rapids

Robert W. “Bob” Ask, 97, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Gardens of Cedar Rapids. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Calvary Baptist Church by Pastor Jay Jentink. A private family burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., at Teahen Funeral Home, and on Wednesday at the church after 9 a.m.

Bob is survived by three children, Janis (Ron) Tower of Fairfax, Jerry (Shelley) Ask, and Carolyn (Tony) Beets; son-in-law, Dennis Borrett ,all of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren, Lindsay (Mark) McDermott, Brad (Cara) Tower, Andrew (Megan) Tower, Amy (Rob) Porter, Blake (Beth) Borrett, Emily (Rob) Orna, Hayley Ask, Jordan (Winter) Ask and Tyler Ask; 22 great-grandchildren; and sister, Miriam R. Caves of Cedar Rapids.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn; daughter Becky; brother John F. Ask; and great-granddaughter, Lucy Tower.

Bob was born May 18, 1926, in Ottumwa, the son of Axel and Martha Johnson Ask. He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1944 where he received the honor of “Outstanding Boy” in his class. Bob also graduated from William Penn College in Oskaloosa in 1948 and received his MA from the University of Iowa in 1953.

Bob married Marilyn Reed on May 29, 1949, at the Bloomington Friends Church in Muscatine. Bob was a very active member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1952 where he served as their Sunday school, bible studies teacher and served on the church’s Board of Deacons and Missions Committee.

Bob was an educator and coach at three different schools throughout his career. Bob taught and coached at Marengo High School from 1948 to 1952, McKinley High School from 1952 to 1957 and Jefferson High School from 1957 to 1991. At Jefferson High School Bob taught American History and Government, was the Social Studies Department Chair from 1969 to 1991, assistant varsity football coach from 1957 to 1981 and was also the assistant varsity basketball coach for four years. He was also the author of a history of Jefferson High School which was entitled “High on a Hill” in 1984. Bob was a member of the sports booster clubs at both Jefferson High School and William Penn University where he also served on the Board of Trustees and was the Alumni Association President.

Bob received many honors throughout his life including the Jefferson Sports Booster Club Hall of Fame in 1993, Jefferson High School Faculty Hall of Fame in 1996, and special Jefferson “Salute to the Historian” Award, and was recognized for the award at Kingston Stadium on Sept. 11, 2009, the William Penn University Distinguished Career Award Hall of Fame in 2011 and had an annual Jefferson J Hawk Football award named after him in 2012 and Jefferson High School Inaugural Class Hall of Fame in 2017. Bob and Marilyn also received the William Penn University Hall of Fame Family Torch Award in 1973.

Special thank-you to all the caregivers at Stoney Point Meadows and the Gardens of Cedar Rapids for their loving and expert care.

Memorials may be directed to Calvary Baptist Church or William Penn University, Oskaloosa.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.