Robert D. (Bob) Ellis, 87, formerly of Sioux City and Dakota Dunes, passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Papillion, Neb., due to complications from long haul COVID. Bob was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing.
Joint Celebration of Life for Bob and his late wife Sandy will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St., with a short memorial program at 4:30 p.m.
Bob was born on June 30, 1935, in Sioux City to Sylvan and Inez Ellis. He started grade school at Bryant Elementary before his family moved to Carroll, Iowa, where he attended junior high and high school. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1953.
Following high school, Bob attended the University of South Dakota, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, earned his business degree, and was a member of the Army ROTC. Bob proudly served his country in the Army Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1966.
While at USD, Bob met the love of his life, Sandy Sona, at a fraternity/sorority mixer during their freshman year. Bob and Sandy were married on June 1, 1957, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Following their wedding, the couple moved to Sioux City where they lived happily and virtually inseparably for the next 64 years. The couple had two children, son Robert G. (Bob) and daughter Elizabeth L. (Beth) Ellis.
Bob was a man with many talents and interests, but more than anything else he was a Car Man. Bob started in the automobile business from almost the day he was born, hanging out and washing vehicles in his father's used car lots in Sioux City and Carroll while in elementary school and working there all through high school.
He began working at Miller-Kidder (later Knoepfler) Chevrolet while still in college, embarking upon a career at that single dealership that lasted for an incredible 45 years. Bob rose through the ranks from salesman to used and new car manager to General Manager at the Knoepfler dealership; and he truly loved his coworkers, employees, customers, and all those he interacted with during his decades in the car business. He won numerous sales awards and recognitions from General Motors and Chevrolet over the years, including several overseas trips which he and Sandy enjoyed greatly and recounted fondly for the rest of their lives.
Following his retirement from the car business, Bob embarked upon a new venture when he owned and operated two Quizno's stores in Sioux City with his daughter Beth. He loved being in the restaurant business and enjoyed the daily interaction with the stores' employees, vendors, and especially its customers and their families. Once that venture ended, Bob returned to his roots and spent his senior years driving cars for several local dealerships for trade and sale to other automobile businesses all over the Midwest.
Outside of his work career, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church; and a dedicated Board member of the Boys Club of Sioux City, including serving a term as the Board President. He was also a strong supporter of and constant presence at all of Sandy's charitable organizational work for over 50 years. Bob also took up tennis in the 1970s and became an accomplished player and city age group champion multiple times over the years. One of his most cherished memories was the trip that he and Sandy took to Italy in 2007 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Bob was also a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, and among his favorite moments was celebrating the team's Orange Bowl victory in Florida with his son and friends in 2010.
Bob is survived by his children Bob Ellis (Laura Silverberg) and Beth Ellis (Mark Anson); granddaughters Caroline Kollars and Madison Ellis; sister-in-law Jan Hyden; brother-in-law Larry Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who remain to honor his memory.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sandy; parents; in-laws Gary and Elinore Sona; sister Patricia Kennedy; and brother-in-law Dr. Buz Hyden.
Bob's life was truly a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know him. While it is often said about those we have lost, and can seem almost clichéd at times, there is one thing that no one can dispute: Bob Ellis never met a stranger. No one who met Bob will ever forget the warmth of his smile, the sparkle in his eye, and the genuine kindness he showed for all those he encountered in his life. Whether he was selling you a car, offering you a Quizno's sandwich coupon, or telling you a lame Dad joke, Bob always left you smiling. He will be terribly missed, but even more fondly remembered, by his family, friends and all those whom he impacted in a positive way in his lifetime.
The family requests that any memorials which friends may wish to make in Bob's honor be directed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland.
Published by Sioux City Journal on Jul. 22, 2022.
Joint Celebration of Life for Bob and his late wife Sandy will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St., with a short memorial program at 4:30 p.m.
Bob was born on June 30, 1935, in Sioux City to Sylvan and Inez Ellis. He started grade school at Bryant Elementary before his family moved to Carroll, Iowa, where he attended junior high and high school. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1953.
Following high school, Bob attended the University of South Dakota, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, earned his business degree, and was a member of the Army ROTC. Bob proudly served his country in the Army Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1966.
While at USD, Bob met the love of his life, Sandy Sona, at a fraternity/sorority mixer during their freshman year. Bob and Sandy were married on June 1, 1957, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Following their wedding, the couple moved to Sioux City where they lived happily and virtually inseparably for the next 64 years. The couple had two children, son Robert G. (Bob) and daughter Elizabeth L. (Beth) Ellis.
Bob was a man with many talents and interests, but more than anything else he was a Car Man. Bob started in the automobile business from almost the day he was born, hanging out and washing vehicles in his father's used car lots in Sioux City and Carroll while in elementary school and working there all through high school.
He began working at Miller-Kidder (later Knoepfler) Chevrolet while still in college, embarking upon a career at that single dealership that lasted for an incredible 45 years. Bob rose through the ranks from salesman to used and new car manager to General Manager at the Knoepfler dealership; and he truly loved his coworkers, employees, customers, and all those he interacted with during his decades in the car business. He won numerous sales awards and recognitions from General Motors and Chevrolet over the years, including several overseas trips which he and Sandy enjoyed greatly and recounted fondly for the rest of their lives.
Following his retirement from the car business, Bob embarked upon a new venture when he owned and operated two Quizno's stores in Sioux City with his daughter Beth. He loved being in the restaurant business and enjoyed the daily interaction with the stores' employees, vendors, and especially its customers and their families. Once that venture ended, Bob returned to his roots and spent his senior years driving cars for several local dealerships for trade and sale to other automobile businesses all over the Midwest.
Outside of his work career, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church; and a dedicated Board member of the Boys Club of Sioux City, including serving a term as the Board President. He was also a strong supporter of and constant presence at all of Sandy's charitable organizational work for over 50 years. Bob also took up tennis in the 1970s and became an accomplished player and city age group champion multiple times over the years. One of his most cherished memories was the trip that he and Sandy took to Italy in 2007 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Bob was also a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, and among his favorite moments was celebrating the team's Orange Bowl victory in Florida with his son and friends in 2010.
Bob is survived by his children Bob Ellis (Laura Silverberg) and Beth Ellis (Mark Anson); granddaughters Caroline Kollars and Madison Ellis; sister-in-law Jan Hyden; brother-in-law Larry Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who remain to honor his memory.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sandy; parents; in-laws Gary and Elinore Sona; sister Patricia Kennedy; and brother-in-law Dr. Buz Hyden.
Bob's life was truly a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know him. While it is often said about those we have lost, and can seem almost clichéd at times, there is one thing that no one can dispute: Bob Ellis never met a stranger. No one who met Bob will ever forget the warmth of his smile, the sparkle in his eye, and the genuine kindness he showed for all those he encountered in his life. Whether he was selling you a car, offering you a Quizno's sandwich coupon, or telling you a lame Dad joke, Bob always left you smiling. He will be terribly missed, but even more fondly remembered, by his family, friends and all those whom he impacted in a positive way in his lifetime.
The family requests that any memorials which friends may wish to make in Bob's honor be directed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland.
Published by Sioux City Journal on Jul. 22, 2022.
Robert D. (Bob) Ellis, 87, formerly of Sioux City and Dakota Dunes, passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Papillion, Neb., due to complications from long haul COVID. Bob was surrounded by his loved ones at the time of his passing.
Joint Celebration of Life for Bob and his late wife Sandy will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St., with a short memorial program at 4:30 p.m.
Bob was born on June 30, 1935, in Sioux City to Sylvan and Inez Ellis. He started grade school at Bryant Elementary before his family moved to Carroll, Iowa, where he attended junior high and high school. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1953.
Following high school, Bob attended the University of South Dakota, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, earned his business degree, and was a member of the Army ROTC. Bob proudly served his country in the Army Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1966.
While at USD, Bob met the love of his life, Sandy Sona, at a fraternity/sorority mixer during their freshman year. Bob and Sandy were married on June 1, 1957, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Following their wedding, the couple moved to Sioux City where they lived happily and virtually inseparably for the next 64 years. The couple had two children, son Robert G. (Bob) and daughter Elizabeth L. (Beth) Ellis.
Bob was a man with many talents and interests, but more than anything else he was a Car Man. Bob started in the automobile business from almost the day he was born, hanging out and washing vehicles in his father's used car lots in Sioux City and Carroll while in elementary school and working there all through high school.
He began working at Miller-Kidder (later Knoepfler) Chevrolet while still in college, embarking upon a career at that single dealership that lasted for an incredible 45 years. Bob rose through the ranks from salesman to used and new car manager to General Manager at the Knoepfler dealership; and he truly loved his coworkers, employees, customers, and all those he interacted with during his decades in the car business. He won numerous sales awards and recognitions from General Motors and Chevrolet over the years, including several overseas trips which he and Sandy enjoyed greatly and recounted fondly for the rest of their lives.
Following his retirement from the car business, Bob embarked upon a new venture when he owned and operated two Quizno's stores in Sioux City with his daughter Beth. He loved being in the restaurant business and enjoyed the daily interaction with the stores' employees, vendors, and especially its customers and their families. Once that venture ended, Bob returned to his roots and spent his senior years driving cars for several local dealerships for trade and sale to other automobile businesses all over the Midwest.
Outside of his work career, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church; and a dedicated Board member of the Boys Club of Sioux City, including serving a term as the Board President. He was also a strong supporter of and constant presence at all of Sandy's charitable organizational work for over 50 years. Bob also took up tennis in the 1970s and became an accomplished player and city age group champion multiple times over the years. One of his most cherished memories was the trip that he and Sandy took to Italy in 2007 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Bob was also a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, and among his favorite moments was celebrating the team's Orange Bowl victory in Florida with his son and friends in 2010.
Bob is survived by his children Bob Ellis (Laura Silverberg) and Beth Ellis (Mark Anson); granddaughters Caroline Kollars and Madison Ellis; sister-in-law Jan Hyden; brother-in-law Larry Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who remain to honor his memory.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sandy; parents; in-laws Gary and Elinore Sona; sister Patricia Kennedy; and brother-in-law Dr. Buz Hyden.
Bob's life was truly a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know him. While it is often said about those we have lost, and can seem almost clichéd at times, there is one thing that no one can dispute: Bob Ellis never met a stranger. No one who met Bob will ever forget the warmth of his smile, the sparkle in his eye, and the genuine kindness he showed for all those he encountered in his life. Whether he was selling you a car, offering you a Quizno's sandwich coupon, or telling you a lame Dad joke, Bob always left you smiling. He will be terribly missed, but even more fondly remembered, by his family, friends and all those whom he impacted in a positive way in his lifetime.
The family requests that any memorials which friends may wish to make in Bob's honor be directed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland.
Published by Sioux City Journal on Jul. 22, 2022.
Joint Celebration of Life for Bob and his late wife Sandy will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Sioux City Art Center, 225 Nebraska St., with a short memorial program at 4:30 p.m.
Bob was born on June 30, 1935, in Sioux City to Sylvan and Inez Ellis. He started grade school at Bryant Elementary before his family moved to Carroll, Iowa, where he attended junior high and high school. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1953.
Following high school, Bob attended the University of South Dakota, where he joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, earned his business degree, and was a member of the Army ROTC. Bob proudly served his country in the Army Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain in 1966.
While at USD, Bob met the love of his life, Sandy Sona, at a fraternity/sorority mixer during their freshman year. Bob and Sandy were married on June 1, 1957, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Following their wedding, the couple moved to Sioux City where they lived happily and virtually inseparably for the next 64 years. The couple had two children, son Robert G. (Bob) and daughter Elizabeth L. (Beth) Ellis.
Bob was a man with many talents and interests, but more than anything else he was a Car Man. Bob started in the automobile business from almost the day he was born, hanging out and washing vehicles in his father's used car lots in Sioux City and Carroll while in elementary school and working there all through high school.
He began working at Miller-Kidder (later Knoepfler) Chevrolet while still in college, embarking upon a career at that single dealership that lasted for an incredible 45 years. Bob rose through the ranks from salesman to used and new car manager to General Manager at the Knoepfler dealership; and he truly loved his coworkers, employees, customers, and all those he interacted with during his decades in the car business. He won numerous sales awards and recognitions from General Motors and Chevrolet over the years, including several overseas trips which he and Sandy enjoyed greatly and recounted fondly for the rest of their lives.
Following his retirement from the car business, Bob embarked upon a new venture when he owned and operated two Quizno's stores in Sioux City with his daughter Beth. He loved being in the restaurant business and enjoyed the daily interaction with the stores' employees, vendors, and especially its customers and their families. Once that venture ended, Bob returned to his roots and spent his senior years driving cars for several local dealerships for trade and sale to other automobile businesses all over the Midwest.
Outside of his work career, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church; and a dedicated Board member of the Boys Club of Sioux City, including serving a term as the Board President. He was also a strong supporter of and constant presence at all of Sandy's charitable organizational work for over 50 years. Bob also took up tennis in the 1970s and became an accomplished player and city age group champion multiple times over the years. One of his most cherished memories was the trip that he and Sandy took to Italy in 2007 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Bob was also a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan, and among his favorite moments was celebrating the team's Orange Bowl victory in Florida with his son and friends in 2010.
Bob is survived by his children Bob Ellis (Laura Silverberg) and Beth Ellis (Mark Anson); granddaughters Caroline Kollars and Madison Ellis; sister-in-law Jan Hyden; brother-in-law Larry Kennedy; and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who remain to honor his memory.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sandy; parents; in-laws Gary and Elinore Sona; sister Patricia Kennedy; and brother-in-law Dr. Buz Hyden.
Bob's life was truly a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know him. While it is often said about those we have lost, and can seem almost clichéd at times, there is one thing that no one can dispute: Bob Ellis never met a stranger. No one who met Bob will ever forget the warmth of his smile, the sparkle in his eye, and the genuine kindness he showed for all those he encountered in his life. Whether he was selling you a car, offering you a Quizno's sandwich coupon, or telling you a lame Dad joke, Bob always left you smiling. He will be terribly missed, but even more fondly remembered, by his family, friends and all those whom he impacted in a positive way in his lifetime.
The family requests that any memorials which friends may wish to make in Bob's honor be directed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Siouxland.
Published by Sioux City Journal on Jul. 22, 2022.
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