Robert Albert Hellickson

Robert Albert Hellickson, 90, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 5, 1934, at his family’s farm in Hardy, IA. He was the devoted son of Elmer and Myrtle (Seversen) Hellickson.

Bob graduated from Humboldt High, class of 1954, where he played basketball. Following graduation, he worked as a dispatcher for the Illinois Central Railroad. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Rennie Lou Bastian, on November 17, 1956, at First Methodist Church. Together, they built a beautiful family and celebrated 68 years of marriage. After marriage, they settled in Des Moines and he went on to earn a degree from AIB. He then worked at Employers Mutual for 42 years as an auditor & eventually became a supervisor; he made many lifelong friends there. He retired in 1999, and this gave him more time to attend all his grandchildren’s activities.

Bob was an amazing husband, father, grandpa & friend. He was funny and kind, and his family knew he was always there for them, no matter what. Family time was Bob’s favorite time, and it made him truly happy! Whether it was coaching baseball, playing catch, fishing, camping, taking road trip vacations, or just videotaping everything, he was always with his family. Bob and Rennie never missed a game or activity their kids and grandkids were in, and they felt so lucky to have their family close by to enjoy. They lived a fun-filled life together, in part due to their love of sports. If they weren’t at a game, they were watching one, traveling to one, or talking about one! Their love and devotion to each other was an inspiration to all who knew them.

If you knew Bob, you knew he was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and would never miss a game, even if it was just listening to it on the radio. GO HAWKS!

At the end of his life, his great-grandchildren brought him so much joy and happiness and he would light up when he saw them. Bob had a deep faith and love for his Savior, Jesus Christ, and this faith gave him peace. He leaves a legacy of character that his family is so proud of.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Richard, Elmer Jr., Willis, and sisters Delores and Ramona. He is survived by his loving wife, his son, Steven Hellickson, and daughters Lauri Hellickson and Victoria (Mark) Cresta; cherished Grandpa to 9 grandchildren: Joey, Amanda (Alex), Timmy (Dani), Corey, Jeremy (Natalie), Stevi (Jay), Sophia (Joe), Franklin (Yasmin) and Vincent; loving great-grandpa to 19 great-grandchildren: Presley, Stella Ozzy, Isaiah, Navy, Fallon, Nash, Kiyah, Kenzley, Lorenzo, Francesca, Penelope, Jace, Leo, Vivica, Quinten Bean, Ricco, Aubreyelle & Jayvion, along with many nieces & nephews.

A visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale IA) on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at 4:00 p.m. Please join the family at The Station on Ingersoll (3124 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines) after the service to reminisce about Bob and have a drink in his honor.