Obituary of Robert Lee Ranshaw

Robert Lee Ranshaw, age 100, of North Liberty, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2023. 

Bob was born February 18, 1923 in North Liberty, Iowa, the son of George Lee and Edith (Wray) Ranshaw.

Bob was athletic and ran track and played football at University High School, Iowa City.  He enrolled in 1941 at the University of Iowa in the Army ROTC Cadet structural engineering battalion but left when WWII broke out and his older brother was drafted to meet the family obligations of farming.  In 1951 he purchased a farm in Albia, Iowa and worked at Morrell Packing Plant and farmed some 700+ acres. In 1969 he retired and moved his family back to North Liberty to work with his brother in a new construction concept of prefab trusses and walls for homes. He also worked as foreman on the downtown Iowa City new PED mall at its conception in the 1970's and miscellaneous carpentry jobs in the area. He moved his house to south Marengo where he raised goats, chickens, and cats.

He was a jack of all trades and could fix and repair most things through necessity.   He enjoyed woodworking, reading, bird watching and spending time in the woods.  He had an uncanny sense of humor and loved animals, especially his cats.  Most of all, he loved his family.

Bob’s family include his children, Timothy (Heide) Ranshaw, Robert (Rosalie) Ranshaw, Kathleen (Karen Jameson) Ranshaw, Deborah Ranshaw and David Ranshaw; five grandchildren, Jenny (Brad) Griswold, Ian (Lori) Ranshaw, Travis Fowler, Davis Garritano, Zach (Kelsey) Ranshaw; great-grandchildren, Emily and Billy Griswold, Addison and Abaigeal Ranshaw, Jennifer Lawrence and Gage Fowler.  Sadly, Bob is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou; and siblings, Madelene (Fred) Sydebotham, George D Ranshaw, Doris (Ray) Duttlinger, Marcella (Jerome) Pattison and Evelyn (Melvin) Rittger.

Following Bob’s wishes, his body was donated to the University of Iowa’s Deeded Body Program to continue the education of future generations.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the North Liberty Food Pantry. 

Please continue to keep Bob’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.