Robert Munson Benesh

ROBERT MUNSON BENESH

Adel, Iowa

Robert Munson Benesh, 33, of Adel, Iowa, passed away suddenly at home on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, from a cardiac arrest. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom: 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. The memorial service will be held at 1:11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Westminster Presbyterian Church: 1285 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed from the Westminster Presbyterian Church's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCeNqngmrm-oMLTv1sw3NQ6A for Robert Munson Benesh starting at 1:11 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.

Robert was born Aug. 29, 1988, in Overland Park, Kans., and grew up in Cedar Rapids, attending Arthur Elementary, Harding Middle School, Kennedy High School, graduating from Iowa City West High School. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Japanese and Education from the University of Iowa.

He was a gentle giant with a huge heart who believed in kindness and promoted and embraced diversity. He was a teacher at the Johnston Community School district of English for Other Languages and the diversity coordinator for the schools. His first job was in Perry, Iowa, and in his first year of teaching he was awarded the International Teacher of Promise award for his efforts in promoting international acceptance. Robert also tutored students in the Japanese language. His passion for the language and culture was fueled by his high school Japanese teacher/mentor, Sensei Dan Carolin.

Robert was a brilliant, funny young man who always listened to the other side of the story and strived to hear different points of view in order to better understand people. His love of music was evident in his song writing/singing and he often posted videos on YouTube under his name, R. Benesh. He had a passion for travel and loved going to the Ukraine with Rogan to see his beloved Reily and Dima. He performed mission work in the Dominican Republic with his father. His favorite place to travel was Japan where he relished their gentle respectful culture. On his trips to Japan, he was approached by more than one person who would want their picture taken with him and would remark he must be very famous in America because he was so tall.

He was an amazing soul, and his loss will be deeply felt by many including his parents, Signe (John) Henderson, Michael (Lori) Benesh and Steve (Mary) Riepe; his brothers, Nick (Shelly) Reed and Will (Bethany Boudreau) Riepe; his grandparents, Dorothy Benesh, Nadine Osweiler and Dolores Riepe; aunts, Jini Svestka, Pat Perdue, Margie Perdue, Jane Gilkes, Karla Peiffer, "Aunt" Linda (Clair) Scott and Janet (Don) Angotti; uncles, Ole (Julie) Munson, Erik (Becky) Munson, Bob Peiffer and Tony Gilkes; and his stepsiblings, Lisa (Scott) Locker, Erin (Jeromy) Jones, Dana (Adam) Burger and Sean Henderson. Allison Logemann and Robert had started a life of love and adventure together and she is left to mourn his passing. His many cousins are going to miss his love of life, including Michael and Brian Gilkes, Odin (Chris) Munson, (Aspen, Ashton, and Jaxon), Gavin Munson, Grant (Emily Flowergarden) Munson (Shay), Tracy (Drew) Winegardner (Gunnar and Delilah), Hillary Munson, Tanner Munson and the extended Svestka and Perdue families. He will be deeply missed by the Barkhoff family. His legendary posse left to carry on shenanigans without him include his bestie Travis Heck, Kristian Garrett, Sam Walker, and Oliver Kloos Moeller.

Robert was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bob and June Munson; grandfather, Harry Benesh; and his uncle, Gunnar Munson.

Memorials directed to the family will be used for programs at his elementary schools to promote his passions for diversity, reading and inclusivity.

He was beloved and admired by his colleagues and students alike. God bless our educators.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.