Bob Skala, 60, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House, from a courageous battle with chronic Leukemia. Celebration of life services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.  Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Brosh Chapel at The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.

Bob was born July 14, 1956 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Donald and Maxine (Benda) Skala.  He was part of the Class of 1974 at Jefferson High School. Bob was united in marriage to Felicia Vens on January 12, 1981 in Wheatland, Iowa.  They were married for over twelve years and raised three daughters, Jennifer, Katey and Patricia.  He worked at CR Recycling, Counter Fitters, the AR-JAY Center, as well as the last twenty years at PMX, where he built many friendships.  Bob coached and volunteered for over 26 years at Cedar Hills Softball and Metro Youth Football.  He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, board games, cards, and annual trips to Vegas.  The time spent with family was most important to him, as he was known by his girls and granddaughters as "Papa Bear and Polar Bear."  He cherished the moments spent with his granddaughters, Makayla and Faith.

Bob is survived by his daughters Jennifer (Keith) Zerbee, Katey Skala and Patricia Skala all of Cedar Rapids; two granddaughters Makayla and Faith; his two grandpups Viggo and Gus; his siblings Shirlee (Marvin) Lynn, Jim (Cathy) Skala, Gary (Lori) Skala, Lori (Ron) Grant, Deb (Randy) Kellison, and David (Julie) Skala; nieces and nephews John (Tiffany) Lynn, Paul (Julie) Lynn, Lisa (Jeff) Rhinehart, Shari (James) Ross, Shane (Cath) Skala, Kristi (Jarin) Hansen, Megan Skala, Ashley, Kyle and Zachary Grant, Britni (David) Warburton, Brooke (Josh) Lorenzen and Blake Kellison, Taylor (Ben Fahnle), Derrick, Nathan, Lauren and Logan Skala; great-nieces and nephews Anthony (Nicole) Hansen-Lynn, Eris, Garner and Mitch Lynn, Colton, Mackenzie, Hunter and Dalton Lynn, Shelbee and Morgan Rhinehart, Jacob and Sydney Ross, Amaya, Malik and Riese Skala, Caden, Alayna, Paisley, and Charlee Hansen, Hayden and Kingsley Hodgins, Ella Faul and Maci Lorenzen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his nephew Jeffrey Lynn.

Memorials may be directed to the family.