Robert Ray DeCamp
Robert Ray DeCamp, 85, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Bickford of West Des Moines after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bob was born on July 3, 1938, in Des Moines and graduated from Adel High School in 1956. Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1956 to 1959.
Bob married Sharon V. McKinney on Aug. 23, 1956. He worked as an auto mechanic with his father for several years then joined the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in 1966, first as a deputy, then was ultimately elected sheriff from 1976-1979. In January 1979, he took a break from the Sheriff’s Office to operate a fishing resort in northern Minnesota for the next eight years, after which he returned to Dallas County as a deputy and finally retired in 2005. He selflessly dedicated more than 30 years of service to protecting his community.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, bird watching, gardening, traveling, WWII history and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Due to his caring nature, he was an adopted grandpa to many, lending an ear to whoever was in need.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 67 years; daughters: Kathy (Jim) Baldwin of Adel, Deb Jensen of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Margie (Tim) Branam of Adel; grandchildren: Mike (Jill) Baldwin, Jamie (John) Wetter, Ryan (Erin) Jensen, Kristen (Kyle) Stump, Cody (Molly) Branam and MacKenzie (Tom) Walter; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. and E. Marie DeCamp.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bickford of West Des Moines and Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of West Des Moines. A private memorial service will be held. Interment will be at Waukee Cemetery.
Bob married Sharon V. McKinney on Aug. 23, 1956. He worked as an auto mechanic with his father for several years then joined the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office in 1966, first as a deputy, then was ultimately elected sheriff from 1976-1979. In January 1979, he took a break from the Sheriff’s Office to operate a fishing resort in northern Minnesota for the next eight years, after which he returned to Dallas County as a deputy and finally retired in 2005. He selflessly dedicated more than 30 years of service to protecting his community.
Bob was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, bird watching, gardening, traveling, WWII history and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Due to his caring nature, he was an adopted grandpa to many, lending an ear to whoever was in need.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 67 years; daughters: Kathy (Jim) Baldwin of Adel, Deb Jensen of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Margie (Tim) Branam of Adel; grandchildren: Mike (Jill) Baldwin, Jamie (John) Wetter, Ryan (Erin) Jensen, Kristen (Kyle) Stump, Cody (Molly) Branam and MacKenzie (Tom) Walter; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert C. and E. Marie DeCamp.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bickford of West Des Moines and Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of West Des Moines. A private memorial service will be held. Interment will be at Waukee Cemetery.