A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Ankeny Funeral Home, located at 1510 W 1st Street. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the same location, followed by burial at Ames Municipal Cemetery.
Bob was born on April 30, 1926, to Mercer and Dollie Nicholson in Payson, IL. He later moved to central Iowa, where he graduated from East High School in Des Moines. It was there that he met his beloved wife Shirley Erickson, with whom he had their first daughter, Bonnie.
After high school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and bravely served with the 1st Calvary in WWII in the Philippines and Japan. Upon returning from the war, Bob and Shirley relocated to Crescent City, CA, nestled among the redwoods, where they welcomed their second daughter, Deborah. Bob established Nicholson Trucking Company, specializing in logging timber and hauling logs. In his free time, he enjoyed salmon fishing, mule deer hunting, and camping with his family.
In 1968, Bob and Shirley returned to Iowa, where Bob purchased two Kenworth trucks with refrigerated trailers to haul swinging meat into Chicago. In 1974, they built their third home in Elkhart, where they created a warm and welcoming environment for family and friends and attended Cory Grove Church. He owned and piloted a Cessna Skyhawk 172 and shared this hobby with his daughter. Over the next five decades, they celebrated numerous milestones and cherished memories, and countless fishing trips to Canada were launched. Their door was always open, and their hospitality was unmatched.
Bob will be greatly missed by his daughter Deborah Jacobs (Tom Miller), grandchildren Tina (Joe) Rizer (KY), Yvette (Floyd) Shipman (OH), Bobbi Jaye (Greg) Guardalabene (KY), Adam (Lisa) Jacobs, Mark (Amy) Jacobs, (FL) David Jacobs, 10 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Judy Nicholson, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bob is preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley, his daughter, Bonnie Romesberg, and his brother, Rex Nicholson.
Join us in celebrating Bob's remarkable life and legacy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cory Grove Church or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
