Robert "Bob" Swantee

Robert “Bob” Swantee passed away on April 22, 2024 at Select Specialty Care in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bob was born on September 28, 1965, to Paul and Celina (Porelle) Swantee. Bob served four years in Korea during his time spent in the U.S. Army as an Army Ranger. He was a very proud military man and contributed to Wounded Warriors. Bob spent 30 years working as a truck driver, from driving over-the-road to being an owner-operator truck driver. He enjoyed his career as a truck driver because he loved to travel and all the opportunities he encountered to see the beauty of the states. There were times Bob even got to share these experiences with his children and his wife by taking them on the road with him. The memories he cherished of having his wife by his side on the open road and even his son, Chris, with his “head in the clouds” while driving in Snoqualmie, Washington. Bob retired from driving because, more than his love for his career, he loved spending time with his family. His grandkids, nieces, and nephews brought out the child in Bob, from teaching them how to fish to water balloon fights in the backyard. Bob wanted to always be involved when it came to his family and that resulted in him building haunted houses in the garage, designing a Ninja Warrior course with zipline in his backyard, anything to keep his family smiling and having the best time in his presence.

Bob is survived by his wife, Kelly Swantee; his sons, Christopher (Hannah) Swantee, Tommy (Michelle) Gomez, and Matt (Amela) Gomez; his daughters, Cheryl Hanson and Jenni (Branden) Gomez; his siblings, Ed (Stephanie) Hagen, Steven (Kelly) Cunha, Marybeth (John) Steffes, Danny Rankin, Amy Hall, and Cheryl Cade; his grandchildren, Skyler, Corbin, Chase, Ryan, Mia, Macson, Lyle, Blake, Taylor, Celina, Emma, Sophie, and Presley; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents; his son, Robert Swantee, Jr.; and his siblings, Peggy, Ricky, and Michael.

Family will be greetings friends at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Memorial service will be following the visitation at 2:00 p.m, ending with Military Honors in honor of Bob. Family will be hosting a Celebration of Life reception following the memorial service, located at the Celebration Barn at 2225 Cummings Avenue, Cummings, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

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