Robert Lee "Bob" Schwenker

Robert Lee "Bob" Schwenker, 83, of West Burlington died at 4:45 a.m. Sunday Dec. 21, 2014, at Great River Hospice. Born Oct. 21, 1931, he was the son of Edwin Carl Schwenker Sr. and Elsie Margaret Reichert. He married Bernice Violet Geffers Oct. 21, 1950. He graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1949. In 1955, Bob worked as a self-employed contractor; in 1957, he was the original developer of the Beaverdale Heights. In 1958, Bob built the family home in Beaverdale and the Schwenker construction shop was in the home's basement. In 1967, he formed Timbercraft Homes and constructed the shop which is currently used by Standard of Beaverdale as a warehouse. In this building, the crew built modular apartment units which are still in use on Van Weiss Blvd in West Burlington. The apartment units came out of the shop complete with carpeting, cabinets and drywall. The apartments were transported to the site with the second story being set in place by MZ Davis Crane. In 1968, Standard Lumber Co. was formed. Standard Lumber was renamed Standard of Beaverdale in 1975. For several years, Bob worked with the Jobs Training Program employing people with life struggles. Bob ...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

President of Standard of Beaverdale and remained active in the business up until a year before his passing. Bob was a member of St. Luke's United Church of Christ, and the Burlington Rotary Club and a previous member of the Local Carpenters Union. Bob enjoyed working, being with his family, mushrooming, hunting, and like his wife, Bernie, he enjoyed traveling and their cats. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Lee Schwenker and Daniel Charles (Debbie) Schwenker, both of Burlington, and Gregory Wayne Schwenker (Brenda Smith) of West Burlington; two daughters, Brenda Louise Carson and Sharon Ann (Tony) Ashby, both of West Burlington; seven grandchildren, Kathy, David, Ben (Kate), and Matt Schwenker, Chad Carson, Andrea (Keith) Sollazzo and Jennifer Schwenker; four great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his wife; parents; two brothers, John and Edwin; one sister, Marion Speak; daughter-in-law, Beth Schwenker; and son-in-law, Jim Carson. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23rd, at Lunning Chapel. The funeral service for Mr. Schwenker will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday the 23rd, at Lunning Chapel, with Pastor Mark Schowalter officiating. Interment will be in Aspen Grove cemetery. A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice House, The Des Moines Humane Society and The Cancer Society.