I'm a few years late, but I just came across Coach Farnsworth's obituary this morning, and I was saddened to learn of his passing. Even though I'm late here, I wanted to leave a note to his family to let them know what a profound influence he had on my life as my ninth grade football coach at Southeast. Over the course of that season, I learned a lot from him about toughness and responsibility and doing the right thing. I fondly remember his gruff demeanor and how well he motivated us. I have a lot of powerful memories of that year, including riding in the back of his truck early on Sunday mornings to go clean up Kinnick Stadium. And of course I can't forget about how he helped us deal with the death of our manager Cole that fall. In short, I have to say that Coach Farnsworth taught me a lot about what it is to be a man, so I owe him much gratitude for helping me become the person I am today.

Peter Giaquinta

Thanks Coach, you you had such a positive effect on so many people. I wish i could have told you this in person. When our manager Cole was killed you told the team his passing could do one of two things. It could bring the team closer together or it could tear us apart. I've taken this among other things you taught me my entire life. You always treated me well and I appreciated that. Go in peace coach, you aren't sick anymore. Be strong Farnsworth family.

We are so sorry to hear of your loss .Bob was a good neighbor and always fun to talk to.

Tim and family,

I'm sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He always tried to help me do my best in p.e. class at Lemme.

Michelle Sullivan

To the family of Bob Farnsworth:

Mr. Farnsworth, as I knew him back in grade school at Mark Twain, was a pretty tough cookie but a heck of a nice guy. He put up a bear attitude, but was a great coach and P.E. teacher. I'll always remember him joking around with us in a dry humor sort of way, and man could he kick a football!!

My condolences to Bob's family; he will be greatly missed.

Karl Ebert

Coralville

Sorry, for your loss, I always liked Mr. Farnsworth... even when I was getting in trouble he was fair but strict.

I'm so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Recent years we telephoned and text a few times a year. Keeping in touch about family especially our children's accomplishments as well as our own projects. I made sure Bob would be in town the dozen or so times we were in I.C. whether there for a class reunion or passing through to another destination.

We were friends in high school, ICHS, cementing a life long bond after our graduation gift to ourselves with a three week road trip to California. Three of us, Bob, Jay Rarick, and I took the north route to Sacramento via Reno, Nevada, south on the coastal route stopping to see sights such as Hearst Castle then returned to jobs and beginning college via Route 66.

While sorting family photos we found Bob helping us pack for our move to Tampa,Florida in 1968.

Well Bob, in the next life remain an individual, try to mellow a bit and stay out of trouble.

I'll miss Bob.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mike & Linda Milder

I knew Bob since I was 9 years old when the Farnsworths moved in across the street. I played youth baseball for Bob and also coached football with him at West High. He had a quick temper and a sometimes rough exterior but I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and there is no doubt in my mind that he sincerely cared about all of the kids he worked with. He was a unique individual. I will miss him. My condolences to the family.

I will never forget Bob Farnsworth or "Farnsy" as he was known. What a character! What a man!

I first met him as my seventh and then eighth grade football coach. I was his quarterback. That meant he yelled at me a lot. There also were quite a few G-damn-it's sprinkled in to his yelling. His old-school, demanding demeanor was pretty intimidating. But beneath his gruff exterior was a man with a very big heart who really cared about his students and athletes.

I got to know Bob even better when I worked for him during the summers of high school, helping to paint houses. I was the prep man and all-around go-fer. We would drive around Iowa City in his old painting van that he called Lena. He would often take me and Dave Randell to the bar with him after work and then pull up and say, "give the boy a Pepsi." He used to call me Paco He would ask me to go out and check on Thorn-dog, my high school coworker, to see if he's still breathing meaning is he getting any work done

I always felt like Bob was one of my biggest fans in life, always encouraging me to do better and not afraid to tell me when I could've done better. In fact, he gave me some words that still ring true to me today. He described my dad and said if I could be half the man that he was, I would turn out OK.

Even as I moved away and raised a family, we would talk periodically, maintaining our friendship over 40 years.

Allison and I want to express our condolences for the loss of your father. He was a good man who impacted the lives of many people, including me, and he will be greatly missed.

So sorry to hear about the passing of your father, Tom. It was a lovely obituary and honorable that he dedicated so many years to teaching and coaching. Prayers to you and your family. May you all find peace in the fact that he was surrounded by his loved ones in his final days.

I've known Bob since our first year of teaching at Sabin Elementary in the early 70's. We always got along and enjoyed each others company. While teaching at Lemme I got to know some of his children, especially Phoebe. I was her second grade teacher. I have many good memories of Bob and his sometimes dry wit. One school day my daughter became sick at Lucas and I really couldn't leave to pick her up. Bob said he would get her and take her home. When he got back to school he said, "You didn't tell me that you live just this side of Grinnell". I live in Coralville, but knew it was Bob's humorous way of telling me it was quite a distance!

Another time on the first day of school my class had gym. I had a student who was totally unaware of his surroundings and was just wandering around when we went to gym. Bob looked at the student, then me and said, "What's going on here?" I said that he liked to play left field in his spare time. There was a pause and then Bob said, "Oh!"

So very sorry to hear of Bobs passing. Bob was always a big part of our lives since I was a little girl and you as his family were always a part of my family as well. I remember the days when I babysat all you kids! That was a fun time and he raised such a wonderful family! Many a day I would see Bob and my Dad hanging out together, and they had a very special friendship indeed. Bob will be missed but I am glad he is now in a better place. If there is anything we can do for any of you, please let us know. God bless.

My prayers are with the family. Bob was highschool teammate and childhood friend who I respected greatly .I'm very sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear of your fathers battle with cancer and his passing. Thinking of you and hope ur family is doing well Phoebe.

I remember Mr. Farnsworth as the gym teacher at Henry Sabin a long time ago. The square dancing and the basketball games. He will be truly missed.

To Bob's family. So sad to hear of his passing &I his long illness battle. Pray God may comfort you all thru your grief & loss. And that he may be received into the presence of our lord & savior Jesus. Blessings to you all.

Bob, You will be dearly missed. The girls and I at the bank will miss you sneaking through the drive up to make your usual transactions and give us a hard time and telling us some silly jokes. Rest in Peace. To the family we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Unforgettable memories of baseball, the players, and Bob was a part of that. My deepest sympathies.

My condolences to Mr. Farnsworth's family and friends. I have good memories of him from Horace Mann.

Thoughts and prayers to all the family in this difficult time! Your family were always great neighbors to us. I know Bob was so proud of you all. Enjoy this time being together and the treasured memories of a great man!

My thoughts and prayers to the family.....Coach Farnsworth was kind enough to make room for a young aspiring teacher/coach to make money over a couple of summers painting ... I learned a lot about painting,but more about life! Rest In Peace Coach

I'm so sorry to read of Bob's death. He was a treasure. My all too rare encounters with Bob always left me feeling better. I'm sorry for your loss.

We have all lost a great and very loyal friend. More people should be like Bob a true and strong person. My life is better for personality known most of the Iowa City Farnsworth family. And for that I thank you. We will all be a little stronger and loyal during our life time for having known Bob.

May he Rest In Peace. Thank you, John Loughran.

Me. Farnsworth was my PE teacher all my years at Lemme. He was always incredibly kind to me and my family. My brother is on the autism spectrum and he was always very patient with him. He was such a good man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

My sincere condolences to the Farnsworth family. Bob was a PE teacher and coach of mine and my father was one of his teachers at City High. But more importantly he was a good friend of our entire family. God bless and he will never be forgotten.

So sorry to hear of this. Praying for your family.

So sorry for your loss Farnsworths. I am sure he was very glad you have each other and was obviously so proud of all of you. With our love, Leora and the Houghtons

So sorry to hear about your loss

I'm very sorry to hear about your father, I always enjoyed working with him and sub for his class he was a great man.

So sorry to hear about your dad. I am sure he will be missed.

I remember many good gym classes at Lemme!!!

I want to let you all know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. So glad we had the opportunity to get together a few weeks ago. I know your Dad was very pleased. Thinking of you.

Bob was an awesome man. I can remember him as my gym teacher an coach at Central Jr, High. I am very thankful for all he help me with an the work he got me. I know we never did see eye to eye all the time but we always kiss an made up. I remember the trip we planned to watch the Cubs an he got sick so he sent Tom with us a lone an we took the train in. I can say one last thing he was the only boss I had that fired me 10 times an kept hiring me back. R.I.P. Bob remember you have a call it's 1-800-Good-Electrician. You will be missed buddy. God Bless his family and friends.

What a fella...what a great friend to our family. His concerns and cares...his way with kids...you liked him..or you didnt...we didn't like Bob, we loved him!

We were sorry we missed the gathering to say our last hellos at Tom's..and we will not be in town for the gathering to relive memories with you all.

Please know our hugs surround each of you...always♡

Kenny and Linda Fobian and Dustin