Robert James Vest
September 1, 1950 – March 10, 2021
Robert (Bob) James Vest was born to Viola Birdie (Grant) and Leroy Charles Vest on September 1, 1950 in Creston, Iowa. Bob entered eternal rest on March 10, 2021 at the age of seventy years, six months and nine days at his home in Ankeny, Iowa under the care of UnityPoint Hospice.
Bob was raised in Creston, Iowa and graduated from Creston High School in 1969. Postgraduation he worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad company in Kansas City, Missouri until he moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1971.
On September 25, 1971, he married Marcia Lois Bissell at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston, Iowa. After their marriage, Bob worked as an Iron Worker at Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel company until October 1972. In October, 1972, Bob started at John Deere Des Moines Works. He worked at John Deere for 30 years and retired in 2003. Bob enjoyed spending time farming with his father in-law, but Bob’s ultimate passion was drag racing. With his wife and son, Bob traveled the Midwest racing his 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner at tracks in Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. His proudest moment in racing was to finally achieve a 9 second pass in Milan, Michigan. As a husband, father, and grandfather Bob was happiest spending time and making memories with his family.
Bob was a member of the Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, Iowa.
Left to mourn Bob’s passing are his wife, Marcia; his son, Christopher (wife Lora); his granddaughter, Addison; two sisters: Sherrel Miller (husband Dick), Sharon Irelan (husband Don); brother, Leroy Vest; brother in-law, Bob Grzanich; several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Preceding Bob in death were his son, Nicholas; parents; brother, Rex Vest; three Sisters: Patricia Vest, Betty Delaney, and Janice Grzanich.
Per Bob’s wishes, in-lieu of formal burial services, Christopher will be memorializing Bob in a solo pass during the 2021 drag racing season with the spreading of his ashes through the finish line.
