Robert W Mickle
(1925 - 2009)

I want to be Bob Mickle when I grow up. I sat and watched him keep the city and schools on track each and every week. He never pressed an issue without all of the information in front of him - an art that is lost on many. He was passionate, kind and always had a sparkle in his eye. He was elegant in his words and manner until the very end. We should all take the example Bob left and follow the path of civic involvement with an ever present edge of civility.

I remember Bob as a very kind man with witty humor. I remember my father William A. Mickle shared many lunches with Bob at the Younkers Tee Room. Bob visited my mother in ICU October 2008 and i was very grateful to Bob for sharing stories and history of the Mickle Family. I will miss Bob Mickle. Tim

No words can describe the love, appreciation and pride that I feel reading everyone's comments of Grandpa. Grandpa is, not was, the rock of the family, unwavering, solid to the core and whose legacy will stand the test of time. From Grandparent's day as a child, him coming to my football games, high school graduation, Air Force Boot camp graduation or just someone to talk to. My Grandfather was and will always be my teacher, role model and hero. I stand taller being able to call Robert Mickle my Grandpa. "An aspiring young photographer, each year, would bring his best work to an honored photographer for judgment. Each year the old man looked at the prints and separated them into two piles. Each year the old man placed a particular landscape scene in the bad stack. Finally, he had to say something. "You sumbit this same landscape every year, and every year I put it on the bad stack. Why do you like it so much?" "Because," the young photographer said, "I had to climb a mountain to get it."" I love you Grandpa...arms around.

All the World was like a Bob Mickle’s Home. I’m sad & very sorry today to say “… was”. For me he is a sample of kind & huge energy, care and attention ... he was also a very courageous man. He is still a part of Cherkassy city community and a light particle of mine. We have been discussing a lot about business development in Ukraine and he always said me “KEEP YOUR BUSINESS”. Yes, Bob! Tough time or prosperous time, we always remember You and keep our business.

Today we often recall the history of life of Bob, which he told in our office at the training course for unemployed willing to start own business. He told how his family survived great depression, how he had to collect coal near the train station. Bib is an example for us for imitation, how you should live to fully realize strengths of your soul and conscience.

There should be a special candle icon for Bob - burning at both ends! I had the honor of watching Bob in action in both Des Moines and Cherkasy. He was a man of amazing energy, determination and earned respect. He was always friendly and courteous as he encouraged all of us to "do the right thing". The world is a better place because he was in it. Go in peace, Bob.

I think of him as a firm yet powerful giant of a man. His life is a great legacy and he leaves one that will continue to affect all those who knew and worked with him. We only worked with him briefly yet he had such an important impact on us. We learned so much and we are going to continue our project as a further legacy of what he accomplished during his lifetime. Bob believed in the truth and not hiding behind innuendos or half truths. While working with him we knew we had to meet or exceed his standards in order for it to be acceptable to him. We didn't want to fail him and I believe we didn't because he share with me shortly before he entered the hospital that we were doing a fine job. I could have literally jumped over the moon with those words of praise. As we observed his fragility, we tried to take care of him for he was our treasure. He was always conscious of making sure he was ready by the time Nelda returned. We consider them our mentors because it was a living example of love, caring and tenacity to help someone, other than yourself, achieve their dreams. When we had our walk through of the Casady Building, Bob said something and my husband told me that he believed Bob was from Boone, Iowa. Bob admitted that he was and it was fun watching Bob and my husband talk about families they knew. Bob was so proud of his family. Once we were talking about how our grandchildren and great-grandchildren were so smart. Thank-you for so unselfishly sharing Bob with us. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Very it is sorry. Thank you for the lessons of love to life! To know you was for me honour. Light memory. Боб! Безумно жаль! Спасибо за уроки любви к жизни!Знать Вас было честью!Светлая память.

Bob-I am thankful for the opportunity I had working with you. Your love and dedication to the people of Cherkasy, Ukraine was insperational. I learned so much from working with you. My thoughts are with your family.

Bob had such a profound impact on us, our neighborhood, city, and world---our futures will forever be affected by his loss. I wish the good ones like Bob could be with us forever.......my prayers are with you. If we could all be a little more like him, the world would be better. Get things ready for us in heaven Bob. Phyllis Fitzpatrick friend and neighbor

I have many happy memories of working with Bob on various ITEBS projects with Ann Schodde, Dennis Dixon and Doug Lewis. Rest in peace Bob, Don Lambert, fellow ITEBS Principle

Thank goodness for Bob. I'm grateful that he gave us all so much of his enthusiasms. Two things - Bob paid attention for a very long time and so knew the history of events and their context as well as the assumptions or hypotheses or even the original intentions on which programs were based. Irreplaceable. Lyn Loheed in Sherman Hill said that Bob's passing is like a library burning down. Then the other thing is how much an honor it was to work with him a getting a grant for the Rachel Ruan House and also how much Bob's spirit is embodied in the Mickle Center and other NIC projects.

Bob was a great person to go to if you were contemplating any elective office in Des Moines-he was a walking book of knowledge. I learned so much from him during my tenure on the school board. I am sure he is leading great reform efforts in heaven!

I consider Bob an Icon when it comes to what it means to be a public servant. He was a great example for all of us. There is no question that he will be a legend here in the Des Moines Metro area. He was visionary and always willing to go the extra mile to ask the right question and work hard to get the answers that the public deserved. He will be missed. Mike Carver City of Urbandale Council Member

We all choose our own path in this life. Bob was a wonderful example of how much human can achieve by fighting for one’s ideas, never giving up and always willing to help with an open heart. His unbelievable strength, joy and passion for life were contagious. I am very thankful for every tiny bit of help and support he has given to me. Bob you will be always in our hearts! My prayers are for you and your family.

It's really hard for me to believe that Bob, who's always been so full of energy and optimism, is now gone. I am thankful for everything he's done for me and my thoughts go out to his family.

Bob Mickle was one of the best people I ever met. He was sincere humanist and wonderful friend. He was always ready to help, to advice, to support. I was very fortunate to meet Bob and because of him, I became entrepreneur. Actually, it was Bob’s idea, that I should start my own business. He convinced me that I could do it. Bob Mickle was helping me with all big and small projects, providing advice, guidance and support. I am so grateful for everything he has done for me and for so many other people. I will remember him with great admiration and respect.

Bob's commitment to community, honesty and humility will always be a model of CITIZEN to me. Forever I will benefit from his example as a person who found the right rythme to get things done. His impact on the city I love will be seen in generations. For that I am thankful, and will honor his achievments and memory by giving my best as a resident and citizen of Des Moines and the world. Thanks Bob. I already miss you!

I was acquainted with Bob in multiple contexts, but most recently in his capacity as a Des Moines representative to the DM Area MPO. He was a community activist in the very best meaning of the term. He distinguished himself by ALWAYS doing his homework. He was outspoken but his comments were well-informed and respectful. Even as it became more apparent that he was facing serious health challenges, he found the energy and passion to carry on. He was a remarkable person much to be emulated.

I remember working with Bob on many issues, but one of the biggest projects I had the privilege of working with Bob on was the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. The North-South Bridge was opened on Dec 23, 2004. It was just a few degrees above zero with a strong north wind. Bob was there to say a few words and to represent the neighborhood groups that had worked on the design committee. I remember thinking that the weather had kept almost everyone away, but not Bob. It was a day that reminded me of his spirit and determination.

When I think of Bob,the following saying comes to my mind:"For the world you are someone, but for someone YOU are the World" that's what Bob meant to me and still does. I bet over 1 mln people all around the world were crying with me having heard the breaking news. Bob was like father for me, if it wasn't him I wouldn't be what I am now. That's the reason for me choosing the icon of a butterfly, because that's how I know Bob, he was very fast to help and was always on time. BOB added color to the life of the vast number of people, his appearance in my life was bright and there is an infinity in remembering that.I will never forget BOB and everything he had done for me and for my family. He learned how borsch tastes and liked pickles a lot. He liked travelling to Ukraine spending time outside, enjoyed having fun with grandgrandchildren and the big family. He changed the life of many people for better,and I am thankful for that. My sympathies for all who are in sorrow. This night I had a dream about Bob, he said he was o.k. but he seemed to be alone.....Nadya and Oleksenko family. We miss u a lot!!!!!!!

Robert Mickle, our leader, our mentor and our friend-forever in our hearts.

Bob Mickle had, has, and will have a far reaching impact on the City staff who he always commended to remember those of limited means. As a retired "one of us", he was a model for engaged civic mindedness--he did in retirement (and at every level of local government, City, County, and School Board) what we're paid to do---ALWAYS with characteristic civility and even kindness. Bob embodied the majesty of public involvement---I hope there are public fora in heaven!

When I first started working for Bob almost 10 years ago, he was the most patient and understanding teacher. He amazed me everyday with what he would take on. Over the years, he has been a friend, an advisor, and a true hero of the community and of life. He treated me and my kids like family and our family will NEVER forget him.

Since 1998 Bob Mickle has become part of life of the Ukrainian city of Cherkassy. He contributed to the development of our local community not only his time, but but also his heart. He was and will always remain for all of us the example of a person who cares. His numerous Cherkassy friends will keep him in their hearts and memories.

I stuggle with a description that adequately conveys the impact of Bob's existence. So I turn to a man far better capable of that task, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who, when asked what it means to have succeeded in life, responded: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." A multitude of lives have breathed easier because of Bob.

I will miss seeing Bob each morning arriving at the Mickle Center as I head to work. It was only in recent years that Bob touched my life when he asked that we host a Ukrainian high school student. It was then that I began to see how many people Bob touched and how many people's lives were richer because of him directly and indirectly. I learned a great deal from him.

Bob was such a great guy. He had great passion for everything he did and did everything. A simple conversation with Bob filled you with his passion and made you want to do more. I will miss him dearly.

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