Robert Leon Bedard left the loving arms of his family on September 24th, 2008. He died peacefully with his family at his side after a 20 year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His courageous fight left many inspired to continue their own battles with cancer.

Born on May 5th, 1941 in Waterloo, IA he was the oldest son of Robert James Bedard and Mildred (Kleffner) Bedard. He is the brother of Larry James Bedard of Waterloo and Susan Gail (Bedard) Nemmers of Nashville, TN.

Bob graduated from OLVA in 1959 where he was a well respected athlete and student. On October 1, 1960 Bob married the love of his life Kathye (Frye) Bedard in St. John’s Catholic Church, Waterloo. Over the last 48 years they lived a beautiful love story that will continue through eternity.

Married at a young age and with the birth of their first child Jeffery Alan Bedard (1961), they worked together to see Bob graduate from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) with a degree in general science and physical education. He then attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he achieved an advanced degree in Physical Therapy. Throughout 37 years of practice Bob touched thousands of patients and allowed so many to regain the quality of life they had been robbed of through injury or disease.

On August 4th, 1969 Bob and Kathye welcomed their second child Jennifer (Bedard) Mauro. In 1995 they welcomed the first of seven grandchildren. These were his greatest assets, Taylor, Madalyn, Justin, Olivia, Jake, Sophia and Peyton. Bob was the happiest making his grandkids laugh, often at his own expense, while teaching them a lot about life.

In 2003 Bob retired from private practice and immediately joined his son in business. Through the next five years he helped build a pharmaceutical company that currently markets the nation’s number one sunscreen Blue Lizard. Bob spent this time doing the things he loved most, talking with people and traveling through out the U.S. with his wife Kathye to help grow the company.

Even though he has many professional accomplishments to be proud of, his most prized accomplishments are the family he created and the friendships he nurtured. His love for all who knew him along with his love of life has created many wonderful memories for his family and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mildred Bedard (Waterloo, IA).

He is survived by his wife Kathye, his son Jeffery (Johnson City, TN) and his wife Paige and their children Taylor, Peyton, Justin and Jake; His daughter Jennifer (West Des Moines, IA) and her husband Tim along with their children Madalyn, Olivia and Sophia; His brother Larry and his sister Susan and her children Matt, Suzanne, Mark and Emily; and by his Father and Mother in law Harvey and Dorothy Frye.

He has been actively involved in community service and national associations serving on the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Visiting Nurses Association and American Physical Therapy Association. In 2007 he was honored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for his son in law Tim’s efforts in raising money to fund research for a cure of this blood borne cancer.