Robert E. Tomsche

Robert E. (Bob) Tomsche, 72, a resident of Long Grove, Iowa and formerly of Bettendorf, Iowa and Spring Valley, Minnesota, died Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.
Inurnment will occur in Utah later this year. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bob was born December 9, 1932 in Blue Earth, Minnesota, the only child of Edmund A. and Alice (Lawson) Tomsche. On June 14, 1952 he married Mary Ellen Rasmussen in Bricelyn, Minnesota.
Trained as an airline mechanic, Bob worked for Wisconsin Central Airlines (eventually a part of Northwest Airlines), followed by many years working as a Teamster and then an independent owner-operator. Following retirement from a full-time trucking career in 1997, he continued to work occasionally for a local truck dealership.
A member of the Autobahners motorcycle club based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and a number of motorcycle associations, Bob's love of travel and discovery of what might be found around the next bend was with him always. He loved a good book, a good meal (especially breakfasts at Martha's Cafe in DeWitt), visiting museums and historical sites, Nascar races, the Vikings and Hawkeyes, and shooting the breeze at Mark's Small Engine Repair in Eldridge. Never fond of saying goodbye, he stayed in character to the last.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mary; daughter Maren Heinze and Brad Heinze of Sebastopol, California; son Mark Tomsche and partner Cindy Kingman of Eldridge. His parents preceded him in death.
Online remembrances or condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting Bob's obituary at www.mcginnis-chambers.com.