Robert Leon Patterson III

Wonderful, kind, intelligent Bob Patterson, born at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on September 14, 1982, unexpectedly passed away April 4, 2022, at his home in West Union, Iowa at the early age of 39. He had lived in the northeast Iowa Decorah area since October 2010.

Bob was the middle child of Jeannie Shoeman (Gary Paulson) and Stephen Patterson (deceased). He is survived by sister Heidi Thornton (Matt) and brother Steve Patterson (Shelby), nephew Stephen Grey Patterson III, and nieces Sienna and Savannah Patterson.

Bob was a most welcome miracle baby, having been born five weeks prematurely. He was a happy little guy and really thrived upon arriving home. He was raised and attended school in Johnston where he and his brother shared many of the same friends. In his youth, Bob was full of energy, life, wit, and mischief. He was wildly handsome, industrious and took great pride in his dapper choice of clothing. He was no stranger to a well pressed suit and tie. He was successful in sales as a teenager and proud to achieve top salesman in Sears electronics department. He sold used cars out of his driveway and wanted to go into car sales like his stepfather.

As a young man, Bob struggled with difficult challenges. He worked so very hard to overcome them and, at the time of his death was doing very well, living happily and independently. Bob was a very loving, giving and kind man and in the last several years had enjoyed going out to eat, attending movies, and shopping with his mother, as well as just sitting in the park or walking in nature. He loved going on special field trips, such as touring the Decorah Ice Caves, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, driving through the Decorah Holiday Lights, and visiting the historic Porter House and the grounds of the Vesterheim Norwegian Museum where he marveled at the original buildings brought over from Norway. One memorable occasion was when Bob and Gary, his stepfather, smoked cigars out of the trunk of a Lincoln Town Car in front of the Cresco Opera House after a late night movie on a balmy September night for a special treat for his birthday! Video games were a passion for Bob and his favorite one was Days Gone. He enjoyed playing with his downstairs roommate and friend. Bob had gifted him with his own treasured Carhart jacket the week before he passed. Bob’s favorite cereal was Lucky Charms and he loved strawberry yogurt and pizza. He was always polite and had excellent manners. He was softspoken and resembled his father more as the years passed, especially in his voice, lips, and hands.

Our hearts are broken at the loss of his pure soul, and he will be missed by many. God has called Bob home and he has now returned to good physical and mental health. Bob has been reunited with his father and all his family members who are waiting to take him into their loving arms.

Bob is survived by a large extended family and many friends who loved him very much. We know this to be true: Love survives beyond death. Life exists beyond death. We love you Bob and will miss you forever. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 115 S. Cedar St., Madrid, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be donated to NAMI Northeast Iowa. Online condolences may be made at DesMoinesCremation.com.