Obituary of Robert 'Bob' J. Elliott

Robert Joseph Elliott, loving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, died peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, July 8, 2017 in Iowa City.  He was born May 6, 1953 in Iowa City, Iowa to Chalmers “Bump” and the late Barbara Elliott.

Bob grew up in Iowa City and Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from Iowa City West High School and the University of Iowa in 1976.  At Iowa, Bob was twice named a football Academic All-American, was Phi Beta Kappa and a Rhodes Scholar candidate his senior year.  He was named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and a finalist for the Draddy Award as the nation’s best player-student.  In 1975, Bob was Iowa’s Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and awarded the Hancher Finkbine Medallion for Campus Leadership.  Most importantly, Bob met the love of his life, Karen Jo (“Joey”) Grant at Iowa.  Bob and Joey were married June 19, 1976 and enjoyed 41 wonderful years together.

Bob was a leader in the national Kidney Foundation and Donate Life America bringing awareness and helping raise thousands of dollars, especially through Team Scoop and Score.

Bob devoted his life to serving as a mentor and coach to countless student-athletes.  In his over 40-year career, he was committed to excellence and integrity, sought to bring out the best in everyone, and instilled a sense of hope to all he touched.  He was a champion and warrior who was steadfast, dedicated and selfless.  His memory lives on through the men and women who loved him throughout his great life.  He finished his championship season Undefeated and Unbroken.

Bob’s pride and joy were his wife, children, grandchildren and family.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Joey; son, Grant (Jessica); daughter, Jessica (Kyle); his magnificent grandchildren, Levi, Robin, Gideon, Elizabeth, Alice and Elijah; father, Bump; brother, William (Janice); sister, and kidney donor, Elizabeth (John); sisters-in-law, Jeri, Carol (Dennis), Nancy (Ron); nieces, Melissa (Matt), Jill (Steve), Erin, Jaycie, Madeline; nephews, Tom (Erika), Jeff (Tiffany), Sam (Nina), Jeffrey (Sarah), John (Stephanie) and Michael (Kady) and the many extended family, friends and football sons.                             .

The family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses whose dedication allowed him to pursue a career that he loved, positively influence young people, and enjoy a full life with his cherished family.  We would like to especially acknowledge the care that the family received from The Bird House Hospice Home of Johnson County.

Services celebrating Bob’s life will be held at 10 am Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City (doors will open to the public at 9:15am).  A time of fellowship and light refreshments will be held following these services at Hancher. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Porter SELF Foundation at sbpselffoundation.org.  Also, please consider donating blood at RedCrossBlood.org or registering to donate organs and tissue at BeTheMatch.org or DonateLife.net. For an opportunity to share a thought, memory, prayer or condolence please go to the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services are caring for Bob’s family and his services.