"For whatever reason, I decided to do an online search for Bob Taylor today. I knew Bob and his terrific family for several years in Mt. Pleasant, MI, and was along for the ride when he started up Youth Adventures there. He was an amalgam of enthusiasm, energy, generosity, and sincerity, with a genuineness and optimism that permeated all the realms of his life. I recall a backpacking trip with Bob and Wanda to Isle Royal in Lake Superior, where his energy and cooking creativity (in freeze dried cuisine no less) were on daily display. I watched the terrific slide show here with a lump in my throat, which surprised me as I\'d lost touch with Bob in the mid-1980s. He was above all a kind man who embraced all this life offered. "
In loving memory of
Robert Taylor
January 21, 1929 - December 26, 2020
Robert E. Taylor, age 91 passed away on December 26th 2020 after a tough fight with Covid-19. His family is very grateful to the wonderful staff at the care center who cared for him lovingly.
Bob was a strong and loving person with a passion for the beauty of life -of nature and wildlife, the wilderness, sunrises and sunsets, music that moved his soul, caring for people and striving to live his faith as a servant of Jesus Christ. He was kind to everyone and would often strike up conversations with waitresses and show genuine interest in the lives of people around him in any situation. He valued the worth of all persons and demonstrated this in how he lived. He said "Always remember these three things, be kind, be kind, be kind".
Bob was born and raised in Canton, Missouri. Bob attended and completed degrees at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa (1949) and Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He completed a Master's Degree in Community Leadership at Central Michigan University. He was an appointee minister in the Community of Christ faith for over 40 years.
He was a creative person, an "idea man", a problem solver and forward thinking leader. He felt strongly about the importance of education and skill in church leadership and Christian education. He pursued this by developing several leadership camps and programs.
He organized many youth outreach programs, caravans, camps, helped set up and nurture new congregations. He wrote government grants to fund outdoor educational experiences for disadvantaged youth. It would be fair to say that he had many mountain top experiences literally and spiritually. He said, "Everyone needs some wilderness in their life" .
He was an Eagle Scout and participated in two national Boy Scout Jamborees. He represented Community of Christ in Ecumenical Ministries of Iowa and was elected president of this organization. He helped develop a local non-profit organization called Global Cedar Rapids to address national and international issues of peace and justice. This epitomized his philosophy of think globally and act locally.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings Maida Seline, Velma Starr, Garold Taylor and Lois Braby. He was also preceded in death by his wife Wanda (Fishel) Taylor who died in 1993 and his oldest daughter Paula Taylor who died in 2014. He is survived by his wife Betty (Snowden) Taylor of 26 years and her two sons Reb Engle(Robin) and Harry Engle(Kathy) Engle and their families. He is survived by his three children Tamara Taylor-Hillyer (Rich Hillyer), Wayne Taylor (Jenny) and Todd Taylor (Kim). He has five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
An online tribute is available at celebratelifeiowa.com. Please share your memories at this site where all will see them. There will be a slideshow of his life with some of his favorite music. Donations in his memory can be given to Community of Christ at CofChrist.org.
Bob was loved and respected by many and will be sorely missed by all. Surely he will have a glorious reunion in heaven with those who have passed and will hear the words "Well done good and faithful servant".
Tributes
"Bob\'s smile and enthusiasm and kindness were his constants . Always willing and ready to help. As a young District President he shared his ideas , energy and hands whenever I called. He was one of several mentors and friends on my life journey. I am a better person and minister because of the joyful light that shined from him and lit my path and many others. Thanks for sharing him with us and the world. May you daily enjoy the memory of his smile and kindness. Steve Jones"
"Bob was a member of my congregation in Huntsville, Alabama. I will always remember the kindness, love, and support he gave so freely to me and my family. I will also remember his warm smile, and the way he was a friend to every person he saw. His ministry was an important part of my spiritual development, and I am grateful for his presence in my life."
"Robert headed an Oriole Girls Camp at Gutherie Center when I was 16, Lois and I learned many of the skills that we now teach at the Joseph Smith Historic Site. Robert became a mentor to me. He taught me patience while whittling on a stick, waiting for our dutch oven cornbread to bake down by the Racoon River on an overnighter. How he managed to survive 12 rookies teenage girls is beyond me! I will truly miss him."
"Robert was a dedicated and effective minister who loved and cared for people and whose ministry conveyed a deep value and respect for all those he met. Known as a man of vision and integrity, he was a ?get things done kind of guy? who had the uncanny ability to organize and marshal others to accomplish meaningful Kingdom Building tasks. Certainly, his accomplishments were many and he was ?a great and faithful servant? who touched the lives of thousands both within and beyond our church walls. While not serving together directly, we did bump shoulders in Washington and other locals, graduated together from the first full-time class of the School of the Restoration (are also both Alumni of Graceland and Lewis and Clark Universities) and as I recall served together in the Quorums of Seventy, In each of these areas ? and many more ? Bob?s knowledge, expertise, and wisdom was highly sought after, appreciated, and valued, and I, along with so many others, have always counted it as a privilege to be able to call him, my Brother ? He will be missed!"
"I served as an appointee minister with Bob. Although my assignments were mainly in Europe and Africa, I have very fond memories of times together. He always had that pleasant smile on his face and was always a pioneer in ministry with youth. He gave me many tips as I started the youth camping experience in Germany after the war. So sorry he was affected by Covid his last days. A real gentle giant among us. Wanda was also very delightful. They made a great pair....I knew the Snowdens from Alabama, but didn't have a lot of association with them during those days. God bless. Joe Bayless "
"I was fortunate to work with Bob at the RLDS Headquarters, Independence, MO for several years when his appointee assignment was there. He was dedicated to ministry to youth and created several original approaches implemented from headquarters. He touched the lives of many in a loving, caring way. My condolences to his family."
"Bob Taylor had a lot to do with the person I am today. He was assigned to North Central Iowa District when I was a teenager and finding myself with the Church and God. We had several conversations and even traveled together to go to a neighboring Zion's League meetings. He counseled me and helped me find my way at a very crucial time in my life. I have always loved him and held him high esteem. Bob was a very good man and a true disciple of Christ."
"What a remarkable and profound life Robert lived. I did not know him well, but I remember his presence in training for my Older Youth Service Corps experience in the summer of 1971. Certainly I benefited from his youth leadership work for the church. I later served as a church appointee, now retired. The ripples of visionary leadership are wide and continue. I am grateful for his dedication and the family that made his ministry possible. Kathy Sharp, Bothell, WA"
"Bob was youth leader for many camps I attended at Lake Doniphan. He was an inspiration and guide in my spiritual development as a youth. His camps helped me feel God's love and acceptance many times when I questioned my worth. He radiated love for all he encountered and was a mentor to numerous teens in their formative years including me. I thought of him often throughout my adult life and am thankful for his passion and leadership."
"I enjoyed the slideshow very much! Uncle Bob was a kind man who enjoyed the simple things in life which are most important! Nature, family, and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. He was an adventurer and loved to converse. I enjoyed when he and Aunt Wanda would visit us in Washington! The photos of Aunt Wanda, Aunt Dorothy, Grandma and Grandpa Fishel and Paula brought back many memories as well. I enjoyed seeing the photos of his children and grandchildren, too! I love you all and wish for you comfort and peace. I am sorry that you had to go through this. The photos of you all wearing masks and singing hymns to him through the window are heartbreaking. I am so glad you were able to spend time with him before he passed. What a blessing! I shared this already, but one of my favorite memories of Uncle Bob is that he enjoyed cooking. On one visit, he used Grandpa Paul's homegrown tomatoes to make a bisque. It was made with care and love. We all sat around the kitchen table visiting while he cooked. It was wonderful! Another way he and Wanda influenced my life in a positive manner is that they valued education very much! That and the fact that Wanda was a teacher of the English Language to students who were newcomers was inspiring to me. They influenced my life choices!"
"I remember fully well when Bob was the editor for the North Central Regional newsletter ; Bobbi was the printer, and there would be a full 2 to 3 thousand quarterly mailing. I recall Bob Taylor so well from that time, and how he carried himself as a true servant of Christ. I was thrilled to see and visit with Bob at Tamara and Rich's home, and he remembered Bobbi, and we talked for a long while. Always a gentle man. "
"When I read "Be kind, be kind, be kind," my immediate reaction was Right! And I would have said the same about Wanda. The photo you chose is exactly the way I remember him from when they lived in Cedar Rapids. Recently I was wondering how long he and Betty had been married. A long time. I'm sorry things were so hard for both of them recently. Nice slide show."
"I had only been in the States a few months when I first met Bob in Winterset, IA. He was guest minister that weekend. I don't remember the words he said, but I do remember the spirit he carried. Here was a man of God who was vibrant in sharing his testimony. It was good to spend a few minutes at the window at Northbrook on a few occasions. Although I had not seen him for many years, here was still a man of God--my brother. "