BETTENDORF — Robert H. "Bob" Balzer, 67, a resident of Bettendorf, passed away Monday, April 16, 2012, at his residence in Bettendorf. He was surrounded by loved ones and passed away following a courageous battle with pulmonary disease.
Burial in Davenport Memorial Park.
Robert Harold Balzer was born September 10, 1944, in Davenport, a son of Harold Vernon and Sally (Salter) Balzer.
Bob was a true renaissance man; possessing a wealth of knowledge, on many subjects. He was an amateur history buff and had a great appreciation for Davenport history as well as world history.
Bob was an avid car enthusiast for much of his life. In his youth and young adulthood, he worked part-time in several mechanics shops. He learned some of his auto mechanic skills while working alongside his grandfather (Edward Balzer) and his father. Over the course of his life, he owned several collectible cars, including a Corvette Stingray, a Model A and a classic Thunderbird.
He was a business entrepreneur and began a career collecting antiques and other collectables. Bob's early introduction into the world of antiques and collectibles came from his relationship with Pat Ruhl. Pat had an antique store on West Second Street (near the YMCA). He worked with Pat and learned much from Pat with regard to antiques, collectables and the art of fine drinking.
Bob eventually established Stubbs Eddy Antique and Estate Jewelry, in the Village of East Davenport. He had also established a Flea Market business, which operated at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Bob was well renowned in estate and fine jewelry business. He was an expert in his field and was always helpful with his vast knowledge. Eventually Bob's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish, Grumpy's Saloon in the Village of East Davenport, the name arising from Bob's sometimes, misunderstood personality! He enjoyed the camaraderie in the Saloon business much like the Antique/Jewelry business, sharing stories and time with friends visiting about all subjects. The Saloon also catered to the wide variety of friends that Bob met throughout his life. He completed his life journey doing what he enjoyed early in life when he helped with the management of former Draft House on the river.
He enjoyed the outdoors, in earlier years he had been an avid hunter; he especially enjoyed fishing and always looked forward to his annual trips to Canada.
Bob cherished his childhood and adult memories of his two grandmothers, Tillie and Emma. He loved the Sunday morning cinnamon roll breakfast gatherings.
Memorials may be made to the Village of East Davenport Preservation Society.
Those left to honor his memory include his brother and sister-in-law, John and Melanie Balzer, Bolingbrook, Illinois; nieces, Gretchen (Michael) Moylan and Erica (Chris) Higgins; a great niece, Caroline Moylan; and his extended family, cousins the Salter family. Bob was extremely close with his cousins, Michael Salter and Carolyn Salter Peterman.
"Turn down that music."
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandparents.
Burial in Davenport Memorial Park.
Robert Harold Balzer was born September 10, 1944, in Davenport, a son of Harold Vernon and Sally (Salter) Balzer.
Bob was a true renaissance man; possessing a wealth of knowledge, on many subjects. He was an amateur history buff and had a great appreciation for Davenport history as well as world history.
Bob was an avid car enthusiast for much of his life. In his youth and young adulthood, he worked part-time in several mechanics shops. He learned some of his auto mechanic skills while working alongside his grandfather (Edward Balzer) and his father. Over the course of his life, he owned several collectible cars, including a Corvette Stingray, a Model A and a classic Thunderbird.
He was a business entrepreneur and began a career collecting antiques and other collectables. Bob's early introduction into the world of antiques and collectibles came from his relationship with Pat Ruhl. Pat had an antique store on West Second Street (near the YMCA). He worked with Pat and learned much from Pat with regard to antiques, collectables and the art of fine drinking.
Bob eventually established Stubbs Eddy Antique and Estate Jewelry, in the Village of East Davenport. He had also established a Flea Market business, which operated at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Bob was well renowned in estate and fine jewelry business. He was an expert in his field and was always helpful with his vast knowledge. Eventually Bob's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish, Grumpy's Saloon in the Village of East Davenport, the name arising from Bob's sometimes, misunderstood personality! He enjoyed the camaraderie in the Saloon business much like the Antique/Jewelry business, sharing stories and time with friends visiting about all subjects. The Saloon also catered to the wide variety of friends that Bob met throughout his life. He completed his life journey doing what he enjoyed early in life when he helped with the management of former Draft House on the river.
He enjoyed the outdoors, in earlier years he had been an avid hunter; he especially enjoyed fishing and always looked forward to his annual trips to Canada.
Bob cherished his childhood and adult memories of his two grandmothers, Tillie and Emma. He loved the Sunday morning cinnamon roll breakfast gatherings.
Memorials may be made to the Village of East Davenport Preservation Society.
Those left to honor his memory include his brother and sister-in-law, John and Melanie Balzer, Bolingbrook, Illinois; nieces, Gretchen (Michael) Moylan and Erica (Chris) Higgins; a great niece, Caroline Moylan; and his extended family, cousins the Salter family. Bob was extremely close with his cousins, Michael Salter and Carolyn Salter Peterman.
"Turn down that music."
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandparents.
BETTENDORF — Robert H. "Bob" Balzer, 67, a resident of Bettendorf, passed away Monday, April 16, 2012, at his residence in Bettendorf. He was surrounded by loved ones and passed away following a courageous battle with pulmonary disease.
Burial in Davenport Memorial Park.
Robert Harold Balzer was born September 10, 1944, in Davenport, a son of Harold Vernon and Sally (Salter) Balzer.
Bob was a true renaissance man; possessing a wealth of knowledge, on many subjects. He was an amateur history buff and had a great appreciation for Davenport history as well as world history.
Bob was an avid car enthusiast for much of his life. In his youth and young adulthood, he worked part-time in several mechanics shops. He learned some of his auto mechanic skills while working alongside his grandfather (Edward Balzer) and his father. Over the course of his life, he owned several collectible cars, including a Corvette Stingray, a Model A and a classic Thunderbird.
He was a business entrepreneur and began a career collecting antiques and other collectables. Bob's early introduction into the world of antiques and collectibles came from his relationship with Pat Ruhl. Pat had an antique store on West Second Street (near the YMCA). He worked with Pat and learned much from Pat with regard to antiques, collectables and the art of fine drinking.
Bob eventually established Stubbs Eddy Antique and Estate Jewelry, in the Village of East Davenport. He had also established a Flea Market business, which operated at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Bob was well renowned in estate and fine jewelry business. He was an expert in his field and was always helpful with his vast knowledge. Eventually Bob's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish, Grumpy's Saloon in the Village of East Davenport, the name arising from Bob's sometimes, misunderstood personality! He enjoyed the camaraderie in the Saloon business much like the Antique/Jewelry business, sharing stories and time with friends visiting about all subjects. The Saloon also catered to the wide variety of friends that Bob met throughout his life. He completed his life journey doing what he enjoyed early in life when he helped with the management of former Draft House on the river.
He enjoyed the outdoors, in earlier years he had been an avid hunter; he especially enjoyed fishing and always looked forward to his annual trips to Canada.
Bob cherished his childhood and adult memories of his two grandmothers, Tillie and Emma. He loved the Sunday morning cinnamon roll breakfast gatherings.
Memorials may be made to the Village of East Davenport Preservation Society.
Those left to honor his memory include his brother and sister-in-law, John and Melanie Balzer, Bolingbrook, Illinois; nieces, Gretchen (Michael) Moylan and Erica (Chris) Higgins; a great niece, Caroline Moylan; and his extended family, cousins the Salter family. Bob was extremely close with his cousins, Michael Salter and Carolyn Salter Peterman.
"Turn down that music."
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandparents.
Burial in Davenport Memorial Park.
Robert Harold Balzer was born September 10, 1944, in Davenport, a son of Harold Vernon and Sally (Salter) Balzer.
Bob was a true renaissance man; possessing a wealth of knowledge, on many subjects. He was an amateur history buff and had a great appreciation for Davenport history as well as world history.
Bob was an avid car enthusiast for much of his life. In his youth and young adulthood, he worked part-time in several mechanics shops. He learned some of his auto mechanic skills while working alongside his grandfather (Edward Balzer) and his father. Over the course of his life, he owned several collectible cars, including a Corvette Stingray, a Model A and a classic Thunderbird.
He was a business entrepreneur and began a career collecting antiques and other collectables. Bob's early introduction into the world of antiques and collectibles came from his relationship with Pat Ruhl. Pat had an antique store on West Second Street (near the YMCA). He worked with Pat and learned much from Pat with regard to antiques, collectables and the art of fine drinking.
Bob eventually established Stubbs Eddy Antique and Estate Jewelry, in the Village of East Davenport. He had also established a Flea Market business, which operated at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Bob was well renowned in estate and fine jewelry business. He was an expert in his field and was always helpful with his vast knowledge. Eventually Bob's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish, Grumpy's Saloon in the Village of East Davenport, the name arising from Bob's sometimes, misunderstood personality! He enjoyed the camaraderie in the Saloon business much like the Antique/Jewelry business, sharing stories and time with friends visiting about all subjects. The Saloon also catered to the wide variety of friends that Bob met throughout his life. He completed his life journey doing what he enjoyed early in life when he helped with the management of former Draft House on the river.
He enjoyed the outdoors, in earlier years he had been an avid hunter; he especially enjoyed fishing and always looked forward to his annual trips to Canada.
Bob cherished his childhood and adult memories of his two grandmothers, Tillie and Emma. He loved the Sunday morning cinnamon roll breakfast gatherings.
Memorials may be made to the Village of East Davenport Preservation Society.
Those left to honor his memory include his brother and sister-in-law, John and Melanie Balzer, Bolingbrook, Illinois; nieces, Gretchen (Michael) Moylan and Erica (Chris) Higgins; a great niece, Caroline Moylan; and his extended family, cousins the Salter family. Bob was extremely close with his cousins, Michael Salter and Carolyn Salter Peterman.
"Turn down that music."
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandparents.
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