Robert "Bob" Paullin

Robert “Bob” Wayne Paullin passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023. He was 73.

Bob was born at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on June 24, 1950 to Edward Wayne and Evelyn June Paullin. He attended and graduated from Winterset High School in 1968. Bob married the love of his life, Loretta Jean Stuart in New Virginia, on September 22, 1978. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Over the years, they truly enjoyed vacationing, cruising, as well as their trips to Walmart. Blessed to this union was their son, Bradley Wayne, who Bob gave the nickname, “Bugsy.” He and Brad shared many fond memories such as playing golf, bowling, paintball gun fights, taking short trips, and watching Brad participate in school activities.

Bob’s career began in transportation at the age of 18 years old. He first hauled gravel for Cooper Trucking of Winterset and then West Des Moines Sand until 1998. He then made an executive decision to purchase his own semi and transported over-the-road for Commercial Services for 18 years. He retired and hung up the keys to his semi-truck in 2015. He then transitioned into his current position of bus driver for the Winterset Community School District. Bob was proud to be able to drive for his school community and to spend additional time in the bus barn sharing comical stories with his bus barn buddies.

Some of Bob’s most precious moments in life were traveling with family and friends. Every Saturday morning around 7am, Bob could be found having breakfast at Hy Vee solving the world’s problems and sharing the gift of gab with cousin Dan, niece Jody, and friend Harry.

Watching numerous old westerns and NASCAR races were a couple of Bob’s favorite pastimes. At each family gathering he could be found sitting on the couch, with his eyes closed, snoring, watching a movie/car race with lots of background family noise from visiting and playing card games. Ironically enough, when the channel was changed, he would wake up and was able to share what was occurring in the movie or the lap that had just been completed.

Christmas shopping was simple and spontaneous for Bob. He loved making purchases for Loretta and Brad at the various truck stops. Time to time he would find a few “special” purchases for himself. When it came time for vacation, he was known to shop for special jewelry for himself and Loretta.

Special and dear to Bob’s heart was taking in dogs that he and Loretta rescued over the years. Bob could be found treating the “boys” with the same treats he enjoyed eating. On any given night, the dogs could be found lying on his lap or in the bed snuggling up with Bob.

Bob will be greatly missed by his wife, Loretta; mother-in-law, Kathleen Stuart; sisters-in-law, Sharon Whitson (friend, Lori) and Tammy Downs (Dean); brother-in-law, Ken Earnest; nieces, nephews, and a whole host of close family & friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, June; father, Wayne; son, Bradley; father-in-law, Lonnie Stuart; sisters, Wendy Paullin and Judie (Darrell) Hayden; and sister-in-law, Julia Earnest.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Winterset Chapel with a visitation one hour prior beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Peru Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Winterset Community School District and/or the Second Chance Dog Rescue.