Robert W. “Bob” Biesanz, 96, of Waterloo, died Thursday, Sept. 19, at Friendship Village.

He was born July 21, 1917, in Winona, Minn., son of Fred and Marian Kimball Biesanz. He married Elfriede Reck on May 6, 1944, in Minneapolis.

Mr. Biesanz graduated from Washburn High School, Minneapolis, and Minneapolis Business College. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was an owner of Ritter and Rundle Oil Co. Inc., Waterloo, for 24 years, and Waterloo Motor Supply Co. Inc. for 24 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ; a 50-year member of the Waterloo Masonic Lodge and Shrine Club; past president of Waterloo Sertoma Club, Iowa Area Baptist Men’s Association and Waterloo Teachers Concert Association; founding member and president of the Iowa Automotive Wholesalers Association; past board member of Independent Oil Jobbers Association of Iowa; and past member of Mason City Kiwanis Club.

Survived by: his wife; a son, Laurence of Waterloo; a stepson, Dr. Rama (Jhansi) Vemulapalli of Waterloo; a grandson, Michael (Carol) Biesanz of Valley Forge, Pa.; two great-grandsons, Matthew and Eric Biesanz, both of Valley Forge; and two stepgrandchildren, Ravi (Archana) Vemulapalli and Anita Vemulapalli, both of Austin, Texas.

Preceded in death by: three brothers, Thomas, Phillip, and James Biesanz.