Robert Mervin Gittins

Robert Mervin Gittins was born July 31st, 1946, to the late Harry and Ramona (Peterson) Gittins in Council Bluffs, IA. His early years were spent growing up with two older sisters and two younger brothers on the family farm near Underwood, IA. He attended school through the 8th grade in Underwood, and in the early 60’s, moved with the family to a house just off North Broadway in Council Bluffs. Bob attended Abraham Lincoln High School and graduated in the class of 1964. At AL, Bob participated in Latin Club, Choir, Football, All-State, ROTC, Road Show/Drama Club and many other activities. Notably, he played the lead, Conrad Bird, in “Bye-bye Birdie.” He also worked at Rog and Scottie’s grocery store. It was during this time that he made many lifelong friends. After high school, Bob was off to Ames, IA, where he would attend the business college at Iowa State University.

One week, Bob was instructed by his mother, Ramona, to bring home his stereo and records to play music for a dance at Jennie Edmundson Nursing School. At that dance, he met Marlene Fletcher. Bob’s life changed forever that night. Bob and Marlene hit it off instantly as they talked and shared a dance. This was a pastime they would enjoy together for the rest of their days. One of Bob’s favorite stories to tell was that when Marlene first took him home to the farm, her mother, Josephine, declared, “He has big feet and shifty eyes.” Needless to say, he made quite a first impression (as he frequently did). He often referred to their relationship as “The Love of a Lifetime”. Bob and Marlene were married on February 3rd, 1967, in Malvern, Iowa.

As Bob was finishing his studies at Iowa State, Marlene graduated from nurses’ training and joined him in Ames. In 1968, Bob was drafted and was ordered to report for basic training at Ft Ord. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant during basic training and received the certification of “expert” with rifle, machine gun and pistol. His time in Vietnam was challenging. Many in his company were injured or killed. He became the soldier that the Army needed him to be, a sniper and eventually a Platoon Sergeant. His unit endured a year of nearly constant engagement with the enemy, sleeping on the jungle floor every night. He often told the story of the night when he lit a smoke under his poncho and laid his head to the ground just as a bullet whirred through the air above his head where the flame had been. Bob always said that was his last cigarette. He was wounded in combat by an enemy machine gun and awarded the Purple Heart. He led multiple missions to take out enemy mortar and machine gun positions. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and many additional decorations. With his Army service completed at Fort Riley in Kansas, he returned home to Council Bluffs. He was an entrepreneur by nature, starting several businesses, and with Marlene by his side, they were the team known as “BG and MG” for over 30 years. Their last project was the American Western Corporation in downtown Council Bluffs.

Bob was very strong in his faith throughout his life and credited any success he achieved to the Lord. He and Marlene were youth group leaders, taught 7th- and 8th-grade Sunday School for over a decade at Saint Paul’s Lutheran, and raised their two children in the church. In every aspect of his life, Bob had no fear because of his faith. He often said it was by the grace of God that he returned home from the war and had the opportunity to raise a family, living happily with Marlene and his children for many years. He was a devoted husband and true family man. Bob lovingly cared for his wife during what he would have described as a “bump in the road”. Once again, his love for his family, faith and sheer “Bob” determination carried him through another challenging time. Showing up for one another in good times and bad inspired his often-used sentiment, “Family, that’s what it’s all about.”

If you knew him, you knew he had a long list of “Bob-isms” including colorful sayings like: “Everything else is just a sideshow.” “Is this on the Jennie Craig?" “No Thanks, I couldn’t, I’m trying to quit.” “Will you take a 2-party check from out of town?” “Will a fishing license be ok?” “ID, sure, what name did I give you?”

Bob was the number one fan of so many people, especially his children and grandchildren. From YMCA basketball games where he’d start “take it away, grey” chants to years of watching and cheering from the stands or theater seats for his grandkids, he always showed up and made sure everyone knew he was on their team. He would do anything for his family and truly did. His favorite thing was making his grandchildren laugh and always reminding them that “he was still a kid too, you know.” He taught them the polka, the “Soft Shoe,” and other old-fashioned dances he did with grandma, and how to win a game of pitch by “shooting the moon.”

For Bob, BG, Bobby, Robby, Uncle Bob, Dad or Grandpa Bobby, adversity in life or in business was met with positive confidence. “Just keep smilin’” was commonly used when faced with a setback. He always knew how to turn a situation around and look at the bright side. Bob had a special knack for getting anyone to crack a smile, even on their worst day. I am sure everyone in this room will remember his many jokes, sayings and laughs that usually followed one of his own jokes. He valued camaraderie and friendship, and to know him was to love him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Marlene (Fletcher) Gittins; brothers, Roger and Rodney; and brother-in-law, Mervin Fletcher.

Bob is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jason & Cheryl Gittins; daughter and son-in-law, Julie & Derek Menke; grandchildren, Peytan, Michael, Megan, Callie and Rowan; sisters, Harriet McNamara and Patricia Conlon (Dennis); sisters-in-law, Linda Martens (Al) and Linda Greaves (Russ); nieces, nephews and cousins.

Robert M. “Bob” Gittins, age 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at the VA Medical Center on June 8, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Monday, June 15, 2026. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Interment with full military honors will be in Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of his late wife, Marlene.