So sorry to have read of Tom’s death. He touched so many lives and will be thought of often and never forgotten. May all your wonderful memories of his life be of great comfort. This saying is so true of Tom “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains forever.” As a spiritual person he must have received comfort from Bible verses such as this one recorded in Revelation 21:4. It reads “ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” May Jehovah the God of all comfort give strength and his love to each of you.

Like Tom Joad of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, Bob was front-and-center whenever an injustice occurred or people needed compassion, purpose, and the voice of reason. He was a vintage dude and a mensch in every respect. With Eunice as his muse and partner, he enriched all of our lives.

Rev Welsh was as busy and dedicated person as he could be all throughout his life. Residents of Iowa City were very fortunate having this gentleman lobby and speak for them at legislative forums. His service on so many Boards and committees made such a positive difference for those in need. His activism will be missed. My sympathies to the family. I’m so glad his legacy lives on.

I met Bob when I was an undergraduate at the U of Iowa. He was my pastor and believed in the value of the urban church community that provided outreach and support to students. I valued the good advice he gave me and the grounding the congregation provided as I sang in the choir and participated in college youth gatherings, including dinner in the Welsh home. I'm grateful to have continued our friendship, having visited Bob and Eunice last year. Our hearts are with Eunice, Mark and the family.

I’m sorry that I’ll not be in town to attend Bob’s funeral. He was such a kind, generous, and caring man. He personified the gospel, caring for the less fortunate, the sick, and the elderly among us. If there is a heaven, Bob was most definitely welcomed at the pearly gates. I’m thankful that I took time to thank him and tell him how much I admired him and his work. I hope that others did, too.

I’m thinking of you, Mark, and the rest of the family. I won’t be there at the funeral, but I’ll be there in sprit.

Rest in peace, Bob. You’ve been an exemplary faithful servant.

Rose Rennekamp

Rev. Bob Welsh, was a true humanitarian. When I met him around 2004, I was surprised at how busy he was with various committees and groups he was involved in. He was not a standby the way side type of member but, he rolled up his sleeves and got immensely involved. His message and actions of love for all human kind, I will always remember. When I told him I was running for Iowa City City Council he wanted to meet and he brought books and things he gathered about making Iowa City a Human Rights City. It was my first time hearing this concept and I continue to strive to make his desire a reality. Rev. Welsh, your labor was not in vain and your work has enhanced the lives of many, especially elderly and persons with disabilities. You will be missed!

- Mayor Bruce Teague

Bob was a very persistent community leader in bringing about change to support the aging population in Johnson County. He knew how to achieve what was important.

I admired Bob’s tireless advocacy for the elderly. It seemed he was at every meeting, leading the conversation or asking informed questions. He will be missed.

The world was blessed to have Bob Welsh in it. He was a brilliant man full of love, compassion and grace and I will miss him deeply. I am forever grateful to have served beside him over several decades.

It has been my deep pleasure and benefit to have worked with Bob on many community issues. He offered great support for some of us young activists who wanted to get some things done. He provided guidance and leeway for enthusiastic mistakes and didn't run away. He stayed with us and learned with and from us. A wonderful person who gave his heart to our community.

Bob was a champion and we all have so much to celebrate!

What a rich and rewarding life Bob had. You must be so proud of your father Mark.

Thinking of you, Nancy and Sarah and the rest of the family. So very sorry for your loss ♥️♥️♥️

I remember looking forward to going to church every Sunday with my grandparents just to see Bob. He always told stories about his life and he was definitely one of the best people I have ever met.

I am sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I am the Director for SEATS and knew Bob from working with him on the SEATS Para-transit Advisory Committee, Task Force on Aging, Livable Community, and from him being the minister at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's wedding (Daryl and Sarah Barth). He was a strong advocate for SEATS riders and a deeply caring person.

To Mark and Nancy Welsh:

Deepest Sympathies to you and in your entire family's loss.

I and others recognize & reflect on our combined loss of his influencial and genuine Christian manners that led our Johnson county communities and State. If you were part of the circle in elderly services community you knew he was a master and a ring leader, bringing up and staying with important issues, housing, food insecurity, an advocate for elderly fragility, rights/ programs etc. until it was addressed & or resolved.

So many lives have been touched and better because of this man and his missions, albeit working with State Elderly Services, a project like Eucumenical Towers, affordable housing under guidance of law and community touched also by his grace and guiding grace of community &

(12) churches. He was an advocate to those who were overlooked in our society, yet you knew you had a friend who would pray for you as an individual and loved people like Christ loves us all. Seeing his spirit again oneday, we will know & see just how many were blessed from his vision, in Christ's light all things are possible if you have faith like Robert Welsh.

May he Rest in Peace.

Condolences, Donna & Dave Henn

Bob was a gem. I had the pleasure of working with him on aging issues through the UI Center on Aging years ago. He was caring and relentless in his passion for helping humankind. The world misses Bob already.

i saw bob and eunice recently while visiting eye associates...he remembered me well as his house painter and when asked how he was doing he said, "still trying to save the world"....i loved that and believed him!

Bob was an important member of the Christian Church Upper Midwest Regional board. He was very supportive of the Regional staff. I was grateful for his advocacy on our behalf.

Bob was extremely passionate about being an advocate for the aging and adults with disabilities. He will be greatly missed.

What an advocate for humankind. Bob was always thinking of ways and means to get things done. I thoroughly enjoyed being in meetings with him. He will be missed.

Bob leaves behind a tremendous legacy of public service and advocacy. There are not enough kind words to be shared about him - he touched everyone he encountered with his heart for positive change and collaboration. He will be incredibly missed but we will keep up the work in him memory. Much love to all of his family and friends.

Condolence on Bob's passing. I always looked forwards to his comments at the Department on Aging Commission meetings. His insight and devotion to helping Seniors and the Disabled citizens was unwavering. The Department on Aging benefited by his wisdom and ability to find solutions to difficult problems. He will be missed!

Linda J. Miller Director of the Iowa Department on Aging.

So very sorry to learn of Bob's passing. He was an inspiration to us all!

Art Staed

Bob was truly God's servant on Earth. So many people were inspired by his passion to act in positive ways to better humanity. He was a mentor and a valued friend to me. He will be truly missed. Eunice and family, you have my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Larry Kudej

Bob was a force for good. His impact will continue on many fronts. For example, with one carefully worded prompt he was successful in having the Board of Supervisors double their annual support for affordable housing. I had the good fortune to witness his advocacy for children, for people with low incomes, and for senior citizens. Peace to all who have lost one who was one of a kind...

Mark, please accept our sympathy and know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

I had the honor to know and work with Bob for many years. His dedication, compassion, and determination was unparalleled.

Bob was everywhere.so involved in so many causes.he presented Johnson County heritage on aging

volunteers of the yr to my husband and myself up at Kirkwood hotel in cedar Rapids what an honor to have him present to us

I remember him from when I worked for the Johnson County Auditor in the 1980's. What a long and bountiful life!