White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Robert Edward “Bob” Quass, 83 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. – Monday, February 9, 2026, at St. John Catholic Church in Independence, with Very Rev. David M. Beckman, celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Independence.

Visitation will be 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, where there will be a parish rosary at 2:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also be for an hour before services on Monday, at the church.

Bob was born June 17, 1942, in Independence, Iowa, the son of Edward Charles Quass and Catherine Ann (Jacobs) Quass. He attended school in Independence and graduated with the class of 1960. He continued his education in a diesel tech program in Nashville, Tennessee. While in Nashville, Bob made friends with multiple recording artists and was proud to host many of them when their bands would play at the Gayla Ballroom in Independence. On October 8, 1976, he married Janet Bennett and was fortunate to have two daughters, Lori and Darla, come into his life. The couple would later divorce. On September 22, 2006, he was united in marriage to the former Carol Jean (Coulter) Roepke at St. John Catholic Church in Independence and gained an extended family he enjoyed being part of.

Bob was an over-the-road truck driver hauling everything from corn syrup and grain to lumber and furniture. His job took him all over the United States and Canada. He has driven through all lower 48 states and most every province in Canada.

Bob was kind, dedicated, and patient. He had a big heart and was always willing to give. He was a man of integrity, and his patience helped him to be a great teacher – especially when it came to teaching the girls to change the oil in the car, change a tire, or read the atlas; all things they learned to do at a young age. His dedication to his family and his country was second to none. He enjoyed reading books and watching movies, most often with a military theme to them. He was an excellent marksman and enjoyed going to air museums. He loved Farmall Tractors, Jeeps, cars, and of course chocolate ice cream with a side of blueberry pie. He could fix anything and loved to drive.

Bob was a member of the International Harvester Collectors Club, Eighth Air Force Historical Society, and Tunnels to Towers – an organization that supports gold star families. He formerly was a volunteer firefighter with the Rowley Fire Department and a reserve deputy with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department. He was also a member of St. John Catholic Church in Independence.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carol Quass of Independence; 2 daughters Lori McNeal of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Darla (Darryl) Ostwinkle of Worthington, Iowa; 1 son, Bradly Roepke of Independence; 4 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 1 brother, Ronald Quass of Independence; several nieces and nephews; and all of Carol’s extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Dean Roepke; his sister, Joyce Quass; his sister-in-law, Marsha Quass; and a nephew, Timothy Quass.

Memorials may be directed to the church, Independence Flag Fund, Independence VFW, and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.