Robert Warren Brookins - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend - passed away in his sleep at hospice in Des Moines, IA on Friday, July 27, 2022. Robert lost his battle to pancreatic cancer which took him away from us within 2 months of finding out.
Robert was born to Charles Robert Brookins and Grace Marion Silzer in Des Moines, IA on September 3, 1943. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1961 before starting his 50+ year career as an auto body mechanic. He has fixed and painted hundreds of cars throughout his life including everything from Corvettes to Pickup trucks to old classics hot rods. He became very well known in the Des Moines area as the guy who could fix anything on any car no matter the damage and it would always look perfect.
Robert loved to build control line model airplanes and compete at the national level across the country. His favorite place to go was Tucson, AZ with his wife and friends and was known for having the best-looking planes that he custom painted with perfection.
Robert is survived by his wife, Elaine; her children Jimmy and Andy Zimmerman; six grandchildren, Teryn, Quinn, Kylin, Vaunn, Riley and Kaylee; his sister, Karen, and his nephew Tom.
Please join his family and friends for a celebration of life at the Hope Lutheran Church parking lot right next to his house on East 42nd St.
Hope Lutheran Church: Sunday, August 21 from 4-6 pm (3857E 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50317).