Robert “Bob” “Bobby” “Bobbles” Franklin Snell, 88, of Ottumwa left this world at 7:22 a.m. October 1, 2025 at his home.
He was born on November 25, 1936 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Hazel Snell. He attended Albia High School where he was a member of the newspaper, marching band, concert band, and golf team. In his senior year, he was the drum major of the marching band, editor of the school newspaper Albia High Echoes and editor of the school annual The Screech. He graduated in 1955.
Bob attended and graduated from St. Joseph Junior College in St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1961 he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. While at Northwest Missouri he was president of Theta Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma and vice president of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
Bob’s educational career spanned 36 years. He began in 1961 by teaching sixth grade at Wildwood Elementary School in Ottumwa, Iowa where he taught until 1966. During this time, he earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northeast Missouri State University.
In 1966, Bob moved to Albia, Iowa to serve as Director of Elementary Education. He was most proud of the fact that at that time, he was a member of the youngest Central Office Administrative Educational Staff in the state of Iowa where all staff members were under the age of 30.
In 1969, Bob returned to Ottumwa as Director of Elementary Education. In addition, he also served as Personnel Director and was principal of James, Eisenhower and Agassiz Schools. He participated in many organizations before and after his retirement from the school district and received many honors. He loved to serve his community. He organized the Books for Brotherhood Program and founded the Orville Amosson Reading Award Program. He was a life member of the Iowa PTA and a life member of the National Education Association. In 1985 Bob was named the VFW Outstanding Citizen of the Year. He served for 25 years as President of the Ottumwa Good Samaritan Advisory Board. From 1978-1986 he was a member of the Ottumwa Hospital Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Ottumwa Cemetery Board of Trustees, served on the Fahrney Education Foundation Scholarship Committee and was a former member of the Ottumwa Rotary Club.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Ottumwa where he was a deacon and elder, he also enjoyed being a liturgist.
Growing up in Albia was a most memorable experience for Bob. Everyone in Albia called him Bobby and he liked to refer to himself as “a little boy from Albia, Iowa who was very fortunate and lucky to have had a good life”.
On December 21, 1963, Bob married the love of his life, Karlene Sue (Collins) Snell. To this union was born a daughter, Katherine Sue.
Bob loved to read, especially biographies. But his favorite thing to read was ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas first to his daughter and later to his twin grandchildren, Samantha and Casey on every Christmas Eve.
Taking his family on vacations was a highlight of his life. He so enjoyed spending time with them. Even in retirement he still spent time in the world of education. Each summer he would help his daughter, Kathy, set up her classroom for the new school year and help her prepare the room for summer cleaning at the end of the school year. He enjoyed being present for his grandchildren’s first day of school each year.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel and his wife, Karlene.
He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Snell Schanks, his son-in-law, Tim, his twin grandchildren Samantha Grace Schanks and Casey Robert Schanks all from Montgomery, Illinois, two step-grandchildren, Justine and Anthony of Illinois and his cherished fiancé, Susan Houk of Ottumwa and her family, Andy and Arlene Houk and Adam Houk of Cedar Rapids and Marcia Houk of Ottumwa.
His last year of life was very difficult as he tried to recover from a fall. He was a real fighter and kept beating the odds with his determination to continue to live and make memories with his friends and family. He will be so missed. Much gratitude to all the medical professionals, care takers, and friends who continued to support him and visit him during this time.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday October 6th at Reece Funeral Home with family present to greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday October 7th at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Nancy Cameron officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Ottumwa or the American Diabetes Association of Iowa.
