Robert "Bob" Joseph Jenkins

Robert “Bob” Joseph Jenkins, 66, of Atkins, Iowa, died Monday, January 20, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on February 22, 2025, at Community of Christ Church, 1500 Blairs Ferry Road, Hiawatha, Iowa.

Bob was born on February 27, 1958, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Lawrence and Anna “Jane” (Meisel) Jenkins. He graduated from Newton High School and later attended Kirkwood Community College, where he graduated at the top of his class. On September 25, 1982, Bob married Wanda Kay Hamilton in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He began his career as a draftsman, transitioned to a career as a machinist at Rockwell Goss, and later advanced to a role as an engineer at Collins Aerospace, where he worked until his retirement in 2019. A man who thrived on working with his hands, Bob had a lifelong passion for the manufacturing field.

Outside of work, Bob found joy in cooking and was known for his amazing stuffing and beef jerky. He was also a grill master, always perfecting his craft. Music was his therapy, bringing him peace and inspiration. Above all, Bob’s family always came first. His grandchildren were the joy of his life, and he shared special inside jokes with each one of them. When his daughter, Amy, married her husband, Cody, Bob’s sense of humor shone through in his heartfelt yet playful advice to Cody: “Good luck!” Bob and his son, Dan, were grease monkeys, always working on cars in any garage they could take over.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Wanda Jenkins of Atkins; daughter, Amy (Cody) Samuelson of Cedar Rapids; son, Daniel (Liz) Jenkins of Hiawatha; grandchildren, Madi, Sylas, Holden, Cooper, and Nash; brother, Lawrence (Theresa) Jenkins; and sisters, Patricia (Steve) Stickler and Susan (Jeff) Grosclaude.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Jane Jenkins; and grandchildren, Rowan and Hudson.