Robert “Bob” Spencer Pierick, 82 years old, of Ankeny, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 23, 2022, at the Taylor House.

The family will be present for the visitation, which is being held Wednesday, November 30, 2022, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Merle Hay Funeral Home located at 4400 Merle Hay Rd. Des Moines, IA.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 1, 2022, at St. Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church at 4600 Meredith Dr., Des Moines, IA. Following a graveside burial at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held at Noah’s Ark Restaurant at 2400 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA.

Bob was born June 2, 1940, in Des Moines, IA to his parents, Leo and Edith Pierick. He graduated from East High School in 1958, Drake University, and has been a long LEE Township Against the World card carrying member. In his final 35 years, he was a proud Teamster. During his career, he was employed by Roadway Express as a driver and later became a Trustee of the Retiree Union #238. He was a loyal member of his beloved BPOE #25 for over 50 years.

Bob was proud to support both the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He enjoyed his annual family gathering with his kids and grandkids at Kinnick Stadium. On Sundays, Bob loved cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his youth, he participated in many different sports. As an adult, he excelled at water skiing. He would later pass the love of waterskiing onto the next generation. The biggest joy that he and JoAnn experienced was following their kids and grandkids at their sporting events. Grandpa was their biggest fan!

If you knew Bob, you know how he lit up every room with his smile. His gift was his personality. He always took the time to talk to you and always made you feel special. Bob was known for his “no-one” was a stranger mentality. He touched everyone’s hearts.

Cherished to carry on his memory is his wife of 62-years, JoAnn Pierick; children, Patricia Baker, Rodney (Ivy) Pierick, Lori (Kenneth) Bryant, Robert Jr. (Jennifer) Pierick, Jason (Myla) Pierick; 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, several loving friends and extended family. 

He was preceded in life by his parents, Leo and Edith Pierick; brothers, Thomas Pierick of Canyon Lake, California, and Frank Pierick of Ames, Iowa; and his son, Christopher Pierick of Ankeny, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pierick Family at Merle Hay Funeral Home, or to the Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa.