Robert "Bob" James Crouch, Jr.

Bob Crouch

May 22, 1942 – April 6, 2026

Columbia, Missouri

Bob Crouch of Columbia, Missouri, is remembered for his faith in God, the incredible love he held for his family and his distinctive sense of humor. He died on April 6, 2026, at age 83 in Columbia, Missouri, surrounded by his family.

Robert “Bob” James Crouch Jr. was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 22, 1942, to Agnes (Finney) and Robert Crouch Sr. He was also raised by his loving stepfather, Curt Everitt. After graduating from North High School in Des Moines, he pursued aviation mechanics studies in Denver, Colorado. 

While living in Denver, Bob met Joan Cooper of Wichita, Kansas; they were married in 1965 and shared 51 years together. In 1971 they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where they were longtime members of the Des Moines Seventh-day Adventist Church. Together they raised two sons: Robert “Robb” Crouch, born in Denver in 1970, and Nathan Crouch, born in Des Moines in 1977. 

Bob devoted his profession to corporate and private aviation. He worked at Des Moines Flying Service before serving the bulk of his career with Meredith Corporation (now People Inc.) in Des Moines as director of aircraft maintenance, keeping its fleet of aircraft flying safely. Additionally, he contributed to aviation safety as an FAA-certified aviation inspector. 

After retiring in 2002, Bob and Joan relocated to Columbia, Missouri, to be near family. As members of the Columbia Seventh-day Adventist Church, Bob served for a time as head elder and found fulfillment visiting church members in hospitals and nursing homes. 

Bob was passionate about his hobbies and interests over the years. A longtime outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing—most especially his bear hunting trips in Canada. He crafted his own arrows and ammunition rounds. As a sharpshooter, he competed in regional rifle matches and qualified for the long-range Olympic rifle trials in his 50s. He thoroughly enjoyed the friendships he made with his Missouri “shooting buds” and the time they spent together.  

Bob played the guitar and banjo and enjoyed playing folk music with friends when he was younger. Over the years he collected handcuffs, stamps, guns and arrowheads. Throughout his life he studied Native American history, with his favorite tribes being the Cheyenne Indians and Pontchartrain Region Indians.

Bob is survived by his son Robb Crouch of Lincoln, Nebraska; son Nathan Crouch and daughter-in-law Heidi (Chapman) Crouch of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren Jackson and Addison Crouch; brother-in-law Jay Cooper and wife Suzanne Cooper of Wichita, Kansas; as well as nephews and a niece.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife, mother, father and stepfather; sister, Kathy (Everitt) Michael and brother-in-law Jim Michael; brother, Denny Everitt; sister-in-law, Shari (Cooper) Coffey, and husband Jim Coffey.

A visitation will be held on April 10, 2026, at 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 3 p.m., at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 North Garth Avenue, Columbia, Missouri. Burial will take place on April 12, 2026, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Florence, Kansas, at 1 p.m. 

Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Crouch family.

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