Obituary of Robert D. Koontz

Robert Koontz of Iowa City, Iowa, age 64, passed away on June 1, 2018 after a long illness related to Lewy Body Dementia.

The son of Lewis R. Koontz and Jeanne Johnson, Robert was born in Niles, Michigan, and spent most of his life in Mishawaka, Indiana. As a child he liked to fly air planes and watch space programs on TV, and this grew into shooting off model rockets and making his own fireworks. Eventually he helped found a state-wide pyrotechnics group in Indiana. He spent many years in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping each summer at Camp Tamarack. Robert married his high school sweetheart, Rene, and they were married for 40 years.  He was trained in an apprentice program to be a tool and die maker, and worked in the field for over 30 years, employed for part of his career at JMS in South Bend.

Robert was predeceased by his wife Renee Koontz. As the tragedy of his dementia increased, Bob moved to Iowa in 2014, where his brother and son were his care givers. He enjoyed going to his adult day care at Pathways.

Robert is survived by three children, Taren Koontz of Mishawaka, Indiana, Adam Koontz of Iowa City, Iowa, and Shana Koontz of Oklahoma. He is also survived by a grandchild, Kaelyn Guillory, a brother, Richard Koontz of Iowa City, Iowa, and a sister, Karen Keltz of Mishawaka, Indiana. No service is planned in Iowa, but in the next few weeks one will be held in Mishawaka, Indiana at a site not yet determined. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association can be made in Robert’s name.