Robert Beisch

Robert L "Bob"Beisch Devoted husband, father, grandfather and beloved coach and mentor to innumerable number of debaters, Robert L. Beisch, 82, of Ottumwa, died January 5, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. He was born October 8, 1938, in Sioux City the son of Albert John and Ruby Elsie (Emmick) Beisch. Bob married Judith K. Kolbe on October 26, 1957, in Des Moines and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2014.

Growing up in Carroll and Manning, Iowa, Bob graduated from Manning High School in 1956 and from Drake University in 1960. He served with the Iowa Army National Guard for 25 years, retiring as Master Sergeant. Bob taught in Montezuma where he was Junior High boys basketball coach. Moving to Ottumwa in 1963, he taught at Ottumwa High School and coached the debate team for close to 40 years. He was one of the most successful debate coaches in the nation at the time of his retirement in 2002.

Bob was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation where he was a Eucharistic minister. He was Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, and Trustee and member of General Shields Council #888 Knights of Columbus, McMullen Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Ottumwa Jaycees, served on the Ottumwa Parks Board for over 30 years, served as Chairman of the Wapello County Democratic Party and currently District #2 Treasurer. He was a member of Iowa Retired School Personnel and current Treasurer. Bob helped organize Ottumwa tennis tournaments and mentored his daughters in tennis and golf.

Surviving are his daughters, Roberta Lee "Bobbe" (Anthony) Desmond of Waterford, Michigan, and Janet Lee (Mark) Chelgren of Ottumwa; 9 grandchildren, Michelle, Jennifer, Christine, Makayla, Ryan, Eric, Leah, Chelsea, and Brianna; 13 great-grandchildren; and 2 half-brothers with whom he recently had the joy of meeting and building a relationship, Patrick and Mark Thompson both of Phoenix, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by a half-brother, Michael Thompson.

Limited open visitation will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, January 8th at Reece Funeral Home, with the family greeting friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. A private Christian Wake service will be held at Reece Funeral Home. For those unable to be at the service may watch it live at 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 8th on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.rfh-ia.com. Private Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary of the Visitation with Father James Betzen C.PP.S. and Father Tom Hennen concelebrating. Fourth Degree Knights will serve as Honor Guard at the Mass. For those unable to attend the service, you may watch it live at 10 a.m. Saturday January 9th on the Reece Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Ottumwa, Iowa, with military honors conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary of the Visitation or General Shields Council #888 Knights of Columbus.