Robert "Bob" Donald Whitlatch

Robert "Bob" Donald Whitlatch, 82, of Tipton, peacefully left this life with his family by his side on Monday evening, July 10th, 2017 at Cedar Manor Nursing Home. Friends and family may gather at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, on Friday, July 14th from 2:00-7:00 p.m. for a time of visitation. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 15th at First United Church of Christ, Tipton, at 10:30 a.m. with graveside service to follow at Red Oak Grove Cemetery. There will be a luncheon after the graveside service, also at the church, for all friends and family. Memorials in Bob's honor may be directed to, Iowa Lions Kid Sight or Camp Courageous. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. Bob was born on March 25, 1935, in Shiloh, Iowa (Cedar County), to Donald Howard and Maxine Leone (Challis) Whitlatch. He graduated from Tipton High School with the class of 1953 before attending the Police Academy. Bob was united in marriage to Alice Rammelsberg in Vinton, Iowa on April 26, 1964. The couple resided in rural Tipton where they reared their 4 children: Sarah, Brenda, Melaine and Brian. Bob's years of employment were spent farming and serving as a City of Tipton Police Officer for 30 years. Bob was an accomplished Lion's member for 30+ years where he served as President, receiving the following awards: Warren Coleman, Ralph Whitten Service (this was awarded as a joint award, with Alice), and most recently, just this past June, the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. He and Alice also served as the Tale-Twister at district and state conventions. Bob had a "servants heart" that was visible to all that knew him in this community. Along with his brother, Keith and Bob Davidson, they founded and operated the Lion's Trolly, beginning in 1989. At the peak of the Trolly season, they hitched up their teams of horses and appeared at 60 events across Eastern Iowa, including The Old Threshers Reunion, Cedar County Fair, Ridiculous Days, Fall Festival, Tipton Tour of Lights (former Co-Chairman), and even his Grandchildren's school classes! Bob was also Chairman of Blue Grass Festival and a member of First United Church of Christ. Surviving Bob is his wife of 53 years, Alice Whitlatch; children, Sarah (John) Gaeta of Oxford, Brenda (Dwain Feijo) Whitlatch of Coralville, Melaine (Troy) Janssen of Woodward and Brian (Anna) Whitlatch of Olin; brothers, Keith Whitlatch of Stanwood and Al (Jan) Whitlatch of Lewistown, MO; ten grandchildren, Ryan and Isabella Gaeta, Brandon, Molly and Devin Feijo, Greta Janssen, Hunter Konner, Dylan and Oliver Whitlatch; and one great-grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray and sister-in-law Lois.