Janssen, R.J. 'Bob'

R.J. “Bob” Janssen, 70, of Tiffin, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City under the compassionate care of the Hospice Medical Staff and having been surrounded by his loving and supportive family and so many friends.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets around the church). Burial will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Tiffin, with Bob being carried to his grave by members of the Tiffin Fire Department. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bob's memory.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Robert Joseph Janssen was born May 31, 1941, in Ainsworth, Neb., the son of Alden and Gertrude (Gau) Janssen. At the age of seven weeks Bob developed cerebral palsy, after suffering from double pneumonia and a 105 degree fever for two weeks. Their family moved to Tiffin from a northwest Iowa farm so that Bob could attend the University of Iowa Hospital School in Iowa City. Bob flourished in his life, enjoying many things along the way. One of those passions turned into a business. Bob was one who enjoyed fishing and started tinkering with the fishing reels of family and friends. One of his best friends in the world, Ken Spivey of the Tiffin Locker urged Bob pursue this pastime into a business, which was the beginning of Bob's Reel and Repair & Bait in 1970. His family supported Bob in his endeavor, and he would often remind them, that only he knew where everything was at! Bob not only enjoyed fishing, he loved to hunt duck, goose and deer. But most of all, he was a true cowboy at heart.

Over the years Bob was recognized for his determination and perseverance, he received the Handicapped Person of the Year award in 1975 from the Johnson County Committee on the Handicapped, and in 1978 Handicapped Worker of the Year by the Johnson County Citizens Committee for the Handicapped. Bob would say, “I don't do it for myself,” and with a big smile, “I do it to prove to other people who are in wheelchairs that they can get out and do things. Some people give up after they have an accident, and they really shouldn't.” Bob continued to live with his mother in Tiffin until his cancer necessitated more care from health care providers, he moved to Windmill Manor in July 2009.

Bob's family includes his mother, Gertrude of Tiffin; his siblings, Roger Janssen of Tiffin, Linda Croy (Jim) of Solon, and Richard “Rick” Janssen (Jan) of Tiffin; nieces and nephews, David Janssen, Nikki Croy, Jill Croy, Heath, Josh, Jenna and Amber Janssen; and eight great-nieces and nephews.

Bob's father, Alden died July 5, 1980.

Bob's family would also like to thank the staff of Mercy 3rd Floor, Mercy Hospice, Hospice Compassus and the Tiffin Fire and Rescue.

Published in The Gazette Feb. 21, 2012.