Robert Garth Mann “Bob,” 78, passed away on September 16, 2025, in Ankeny, Iowa. Family will greet guests from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Iles Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Family invites guests to a luncheon at the Roy R. Estle Memorial Library in Dallas Center following services.

Bob was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 6, 1947, to Richard and Jeannette (Luther) Mann. He grew up in Dallas Center, Iowa where he graduated from Dallas Center High School in 1965. In his high school years, he was a baseball letterman and all-conference basketball player as well as Student Council President while graduating with honors. Majoring in Business with Accounting and Marketing minors, he graduated with highest honors from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls in 1969. Bob taught business and vocational education at Saydel High School in Des Moines and Southeast Polk High School in Altoona. He also coached boys’ basketball at Saydel.

In 1973, Bob joined Brenton Banks of Des Moines as a management trainee. He worked in various Brenton Banks for the next 19 years in the Des Moines Area becoming a senior Vice-President. In 1991 he joined Des Moines’ Meredith Corporation as a Division Controller. When his division was sold out to Neodata Services, Inc., Bob transferred with them to Boulder, Colorado as corporate controller. Subsequently, he served as Executive Director of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless from 1995 to 2002, when construction had begun on an all-new shelter. In his final year at the shelter, Bob was named the inaugural recipient of the Boulder Daily Camera’s “Pacesetter” award for his “contributions as humanitarian” at the Shelter and in the community. Bob had the honor of carrying the torch for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in Boulder.

Upon returning to Des Moines in 2002, Bob became Director of Advancement for Wesley Life, an Iowa organization of senior living and healthcare communities, and then Director of Administration and Associate Pastor for Plymouth United Church of Christ, Des Moines. He became a licensed pastor in both the United Methodist and the United Church of Christ denominations. In 2006, Bob moved to Grinnell, Iowa to become the Executive Director of The Mayflower Community, a 280-resident senior living and healthcare organization, working there until his retirement in 2023.

Active in many community organizations throughout his adult life, Bob’s real love was working with youth. He coached high school and AAU boys’ and girls’ basketball, high school and club volleyball, and youth softball and Little League baseball. In addition, he led several church youth and community leadership groups.

Bob is survived by his children, Eric (Andrea) Mann of Ankeny and Whitney (Nick) Sibley of Mitchellville; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Mann, Lauren Pater, Johnny Pater, Luke Pater, Finnley Sibley, Easlynn Sibley, and Geniveve Wingert; and his sister, Julie (Everett) Applegate of Clive, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jane (Rick) Hodam of Lansing, Kansas, and an infant sister, Jeanne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s name may be directed to his family to be donated to a cause important to him. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com

Arrangements by Iles Brandt Chapel.