Robert “Bob” Leslie Austin, the son of Nathan Robert and Helen Catherine (Funk) Austin, was born on November 7, 1964, in Fairfax, Missouri. Bob attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1983. He then attended Tarkio College, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990.

Bob worked in a variety of positions throughout his life. He was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Tarkio and Maryville, Missouri. He also served as a youth counselor at YSI in Tarkio, Woodward Academy in Iowa, and a facility in Rhode Island. Most recently, he worked as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional for several local area schools.

Many in the area will remember Bob as Bobby, a little blonde-haired boy who spent a great deal of time at the Tarkio pool. Friends and family alike will remember Bob’s witty sense of humor and his somewhat unconventional way of viewing the world.

Bob developed a love of reading over the years, and his degree in English Literature reinforced that. His wall-to-wall bookshelves held a wide genre of books — as well as many Marvel comic books — which he enjoyed discussing with anyone who would listen! Bob was able to keep in touch with friends and distant family members through social media, where he frequently shared posts about nature, cats, animal rescue, politics, his community, books, and proper grammar!

Patti, Tim, and Marty will remember Bob as their baby brother who made a great “toy” as they were growing up, who lovingly referred to their mom as “Mama Bear,” and whose favorite outfit was a superhero t-shirt, cut-off flannel pants and moccasins. Bob’s nieces and nephews will remember him as their goofy and fun uncle who didn’t concern himself with the opinions of others, and who served as their teacher in the art of sarcasm!

Bob’s family cared for him in the last years of his life as he battled cancer, especially Patti, with whom he lived for the past two years. Bob was incredibly thankful for the wonderful care and relationships built with the oncology nurses at Shenandoah Medical Center. Even near the end of his life, Bob had not lost his keen sense of humor. He passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care, at the age of 58.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, Gene Austin. Survivors include siblings, Patti (Steve) Griffith, Tarkio, Tim (Pam) Austin, Westside, Iowa, and Marty (Barney) Farley, Platte City, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews; uncle, Don (Betty) Funk, Burnsville, Minnesota; aunt, Janet (Tom) Aitken, Falls City, Nebraska; many cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-5:00 P.M., Sunday, May 21, 2023, Tarkio Resource Center, Tarkio.

Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorials: Bob Austin Memorial Fund.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com