Bob Kirkpatrick, 63 of Keswick, died peacefully at home on Monday, March 16, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the What Cheer Methodist Church, with a lunch to follow at the church. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 4-7 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Private family burial will be held at a later date in Sorden Cemetery near Webster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Essence of Life Hospice in Sigourney or to the Keswick Fire Department.
Robert “Bob” Kirkpatrick was born May 19, 1962 in Cresco, Iowa, the son of Richard and Charlotte Roberts Kirkpatrick. He grew up in Howard County and attended Howard Winnishiek Schools. On June 24, 1989 Bob married Paula Kirkpatrick. They lived and raised their family in Keswick, Iowa.
Bob was a hard worker and had a strong work ethic. He always said he was “a jack of all trades and a master of none.” Early on he worked as a cook, a ranch hand and a welder/fabricator. For several years he traveled the state of Iowa working road construction with Reilly Construction. The last 30 years he worked in rock quarries in SE Iowa, working for Kaser Corp, Martin Marrietta and lastly Doud’s Stone, retiring in May 2024. He could operate and fix any piece of equipment in the quarry.
Bob enjoyed gardening, fishing when his kids were young, driving his Ranger around the county and camping with the kids and grandkids. He loved to watch NASCAR and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a proud Dad and Grandpa and loved attending all the activities his kids and grandkids were in. He beamed with pride when asked about his grandkids. Having triplets was also a huge source of pride although he always said “I wouldn’t trade them for the world, but I wouldn’t wish them on anyone.” Bob was also a long-time member of the Keswick Fire Department.
Left to honor his memory are his wife, Paula; his children and their families: Doug and Bobbie Ludwig and their children Brooke, Jeremiah, Kingsley, Brielle and Willie: Colt and Samantha Brumbaugh and their children Braxton and Brailey; Jacob and Brittany Conrad and their children Harper and Casen; Joseph and Dakotah Kirkpatrick and their children Lincoln, Shaefer and Evans; his mother Charlotte Kirkpatrick; his siblings Rick (Terry) Kirkpatrick, Connie Miller and Randy Kirkpatrick.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Kirkpatrick; his brother, Ronald Kirkpatrick and his beloved Grandma, Effie Kirkpatrick.
The family extends special thanks to Lisa and Amey from Essence of Life Hospice for their care and to the nurses and staff at Mahaska Health Infusion Center.
