Obituary of Robert Carpenter

Robert Warren "Bob" Carpenter, 70, longtime Johnson County Sheriff, died Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, December 6, 2012, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 pm Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Memorial donations can be made in Bob's memory to Zion Lutheran Church or to a fund that will be distributed by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Bob was born June 1, 1942, in Iowa City the son of Warren and Fern (Meyer) Carpenter. Growing up in Lone Tree he attended schools there graduating from Lone Tree High School in 1960. He married Sherry Lackender on January 23, 1965. For a number of years, Bob worked as an electrician for Nate Moore Wiring and farmed. He began a distinguished career in law enforcement for about 40 years with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department as a reserve, then a dispatcher, deputy, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and being elected to serve as Sheriff in 1989 serving for 16 years retiring in 2005. Bob was respected by many in law enforcement; city, county and state officials; by not only the public that he served, but even those who sometimes ended up being on the other side of the law! In his retirement he enjoyed his work with Streb Construction. Bob has been involved with so much and so many in his years in public service; recognized and honored for all that he has given of his self and family for so many. While with the department he was instrumental in the K-9 unit, Dare Program, mentoring the Explorers, establishing the first rescue unit, and so much more. He had served as president of the Iowa State Sheriffs' and Deputies Association, and was one of the charter members of Lein, (Law Enforcement Intelligence Network) the program which is now the model for the rest of the country. You would also find Bob doing children's John Deere pedal tractor pulls at all the area fairs, parades, and local fun days. He loved putting up a Christmas yard display every year, was a huge NASCAR fan, especially Dale Earnhardt JR, and so looked forward to their annual Iowa State Fair trips. But most dear to his heart was his family, especially being there for his children and grandchildren's events over the years, he was one very proud dad and grandpa! His family includes his wife, Sherry; their children, Renee Beckler (Marty), Rochelle Sowers (David), Renda Greene (fiancée Steve Fishman), and Ryan Carpenter; seven grandchildren, Alexa and Aubrey Sowers, Dalton, Colton and Payton Beckler, Conner and Colby Greene and Steve's children, Brody, Addison, Matt, and Zach Fishman; brother Larry Carpenter and a very special aunt, Millie Carpenter. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Linda Carpenter. Bob Carpenter will be remembered for his smile, his strong work ethic, could fix anything, knew everyone and simply one of the good ole boys kind of man!