Robert 'Bob' Topping

ROBERT "BOB" JOE TOPPING

Decorah

Robert "Bob" Joe Topping, 85, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at the Winneshiek County Medical Center from complications of a stroke.

Bob was born Sept. 4, 1936, at home in Wellman, Iowa, to Dallis and Dorothy (Nelson) Topping. He was the youngest of three boys (William, Donald and Robert) and was raised from very humble beginnings. When Bob was seven years old (1943), their Main Street family business and upstairs apartment where they lived was badly damaged by a fire, which took a full year to be rebuilt at that time. He will never forget how the fire chief barely got the family out safely and later retrieved his shoes for him. He lost his father to a heart attack when he was 15 years old in 1951.

Bob graduated from Wellman High School in 1956 with a class of 28 students. He was involved with many activities and clubs in high school and was a quiet team leader, excelling on his football, basketball and track teams. He was very proud of his hometown and school and remained life-long friends through the years with many through personal contact and class reunions.

Bob went on to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and earned his B.A. and teaching certificate, graduating in 1960. While at Coe College, he played football from 1957-59 and was the running back on the '58 and '59 Midwest Conference Championship Teams. He was also a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.

His sophomore year at Coe College, Bob met the "love of his life," Judith (Judy) Ringbloom of Edina, Minn. They were married June 11, 1960, at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minn.; presided by Dr. Reuben K. Youngdahl. Bob and Judy had 61-plus wonderful years of marriage together.

Bob was asked to try out for the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Colts pro football teams but instead took his first teaching and coaching job at Sumner, Iowa, in 1960. He taught government and economics and was the head football and track coach at Sumner High School for 13 years until 1973. During their time in Sumner, they had three children: Thomas, Steven and Jill.

Bob then took a teaching and coaching job at Decorah High School (Decorah, Iowa) in the Fall of 1973. He taught government and economics for senior students, until his retirement in 1997. He also coached football and track for several years at Decorah, coaching one of the first girl's track teams for the school. All told, he taught students for 37 years.

He also worked as a sports official for high school football, basketball, softball, volleyball and track for over 40 years, working several years with his son, Tom.

Retirement years were busy and filled with following the activities of his sevengrandchildren and one great-grandchild, vacations to Mexico and Florida and many, many summer trips over 60 years to their family lake cabin at Nestor Falls, Ontario, Canada.

Bob was so proud of his children and grandchildren and their hard work with their education, athletics, activities and all their accomplishments. Equally proud were his grandchildren of their grandfather. They described Grandpa Bob as: a great teacher, very patient, our biggest fan, thoughtful, sincere, kindhearted, organized, strong, extraordinary, amazing, kind, remarkable, quiet, tenacious, respected, had a lot of common sense and was a great storyteller. He was always teaching, coaching, mentoring, instilled hard work and always wanted the best for others. Bob just loved helping neighbors and anyone who needed it. Those who knew him well, described him as "just a really good guy" with a great sense of humor. He was a true patriot and loved his country.

Bob is survived by his wife, Judith, three children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Son, Thomas (Lisa) Topping, Iowa City, Iowa, and their sons, Zackery (Jennifer) Topping and great-grandson, Beau, Bennington, Neb., and Andrew Topping, Tiffin, Iowa. Son, Steven Topping, Lake Ozark, Mo., Steph Topping and children, Reagan and Brock of Castle Pines, Colo. Daughter, Jill (Mike) Nelson and children, Ben, Megan and Emily of West Des Moines, Iowa.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dallis (1951) and Dorothy (1987) Topping; his brothers, Donald (1957) and William (2003); and sister-in-law, Lois Topping (2020).

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Wellman Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 96, 95 Third St., Wellman, IA 52356, and Wellman Heritage Society, P.O. Box 206, 236 Eighth Ave., Wellman, IA 52356.

Online condolences can be made at: www.powellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/

Cards and Condolences can be sent to Judith Topping, 801 Ridgewood Dr., Decorah, IA 52101.