Robert Augustus Wells of Ottumwa, passed away at the age of 80 on October 5, 2025, at The Cottages at Hearthstone in Pella. He was born on April 17, 1945 to Charles Franklin and Frances Lee (Woolums) Wells in Fairfield, IA. He was raised on the family farm in Packwood where stewardship of the land and caretaking livestock became an important part of who he was. He married Betty Jean Reed on November 25, 1967 in Richland, IA. She preceded him in death on October 18, 2006. He later married Kay Linn on November 4, 2010. She preceded him in death on November 1, 2024.
Bob graduated from Pekin High School in 1963 and attended Northeast Missouri State University, studying Industrial Arts Education. He joined the TKE fraternity and had lifelong friendships with three of his fraternity brothers. He continued his education at Northeast Missouri State University and graduated with a Master’s degree in education in 1968. He would continue his studies later in life, earning a Specialist’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University as well. He spent over 30 years working for Indian Hills in various capacities from instructor to dean, first at the Centerville campus, then moving the family to Ottumwa in 1976.
Bob and Betty were blessed with two children, Kimberly (Brenizer) of Pella and Bradley Wells of Ottumwa. Bob enjoyed golf and shared this pastime with his kids. He owned a couple new GTO’s as a young man and shared this interest with Kim and Brad as well, by restoring two ‘65 Pontiacs, one for each of his kids. Bob never lost sight of the family farm and would often help on the farm on the weekends. Kim and Brad were never far behind and cherish memories of an idyllic childhood on the farm with Uncle Fred and Aunt Carol, cousins Lori and Andrew, and their grandparents. All this time spent on the farm led Brad to commit to farming as well.
Bob enjoyed home improvement projects and spending time at Brad’s farm. He reported for duty every morning once he retired from Indian Hills. He and Brad enjoyed restoring old Farmall tractors and Brad still has eight of those, two of which he uses on a daily basis. He enjoyed going on tractor rides with his brother, his son and his nephew. They also enjoyed attending Red Power shows together. He and Brad rebuilt a number of cars and trucks over the years as well. Bob loved his family dearly and was a great encourager of his kids and grandkids. They always knew they were loved, and he was proud of them.
Bob will be greatly missed by his daughter, Kim (Steve) Brenizer, their three sons, Luke (Julia) and their daughter, Juniper, Keaton and Jake; his son, Brad (Aimee) Wells, their two daughters, Morgan (Adam) Giltner and Lauren Wells (Wyatt Hull); sister-in-law, Carol Wells and her children, Lori and Andrew, and their families; step-daughters, Teri Sporer, Tracy Kahl, Pam Jones and Paula Muchmore and their families; and the co-workers, neighbors and friends he met along the way.
Visitation with family present to greet friends will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday October 7th at Reece Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday October 8th at Reece Funeral Home with Jack Sehrt officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Inurnment will be in Prairie Center Cemetery in Packwood at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Pella or Heartland Humane Society.
