Robert "Bob" Joseph Berens, 96, died peacefully surrounded by his family on 16 August, 2019, at Green Spring Village, Springfield, VA. Robert was born in Dunlap, Iowa, one of five children to Mary (Bentlage) and Joseph Berens. Robert was raised on a farm in Neola, Iowa, during the Great Depression. He joined the Army at the young age of 17 and was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He served 32 years, rising in rank from infantry recruit to full Colonel. During this time, Robert earned a Master’s degree in Journalism. After retiring from the Army, he taught college-level written communications, wrote articles for professional magazines, and published one novel and four nonfiction books including a collection of his amazing life experiences.
After graduating from the State University of Iowa in 1949, he married his college sweetheart, Betty-Lou Ehlke. They were married over 59 years, traveling the world throughout their time together.
Robert is survived by three daughters: Barbara Berens Oxley (John), Phoenix, AZ; Leslie Berens, Falls Church, VA; Jeanne Berens Mitchell (Tom), Colorado Springs, CO; eleven grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren. We love you, Daddy; we will see you again!
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Bernadette's Catholic Church on Thursday, 22 August 2019 from 1pm-2pm with a reception to follow at Demaine Funeral Home, Springfield, VA from 2:30pm-4:30pm. Please sign the guestbook at Demaine Funeral Home.
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