Melcher-Dallas —
A Celebration of Life for Bobby Karpan, 29, were Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at the Celebrate Community Church in Knoxville. Family received friends Tuesday evening at the Celebrate Community Church in Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be in care of Bobby's family for his children: Brayden and Bella. Online condolences may be left at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com.
Bobby Karpan was born Nov. 14, 1983, in Des Moines, to Bob and Kim (Wilson) Karpan. He grew up in Melcher-Dallas with his two sisters: Heather and Kristen. Bobby graduated from Melcher-Dallas High School in 2002. He worked for Shinn Trucking, Pro-Line Building, and loved building bridges for Cramer Construction. He loved the thrill of hanging from a cable while assembling a bridge over a river or highway. In 2006, while building a bridge over the Des Moines River, Bobby and his crew were recognized by the governor, for saving a person’s life that went over a spillway beneath the project they were working on.
He has always loved going fast and pushing things to the edge. He loved to destroy things, beginning with his toys and bicycles and progressing to four-wheelers and cars. At the age of six, he began racing four-wheelers. He loved working on things as a boy, often working with and learning from his dad in the shop. As Bobby grew older, the roles became reversed, and Bobby became an excellent mechanic and welder. They worked closely together racing cars and building toys. Many great memories were made going hunting for raccoons, deer, and turkey.
Bobby loved his family. His sisters knew they were loved by him, and they were fiercely protected by him. Not one of their boyfriends doubted his sincerity when Bobby told them to be good to his sisters or else. He always remembered special days in his family’s lives and was always there to help. He put everyone else first and would give someone his last dollar or the shirt off his back. Bobby was a tough guy with a giant heart. He was a social butterfly and was the first to greet you, always making new friends. He loved the “underdog” and could always pick someone out of the crowd that needed a little extra help from a friend.
Bobby’s greatest joy and love were his children: Brayden and Bella. He loved the times that Brayden would help work on the cars, and they would enjoy exploring in the woods. He cherished his time with Bella while he painted her fingernails and she painted his.
Bobby passed away on Feb. 2, 2013. Preceding him in death were his grandparents; Alfred Wilson and John and Sarah Karpan.
Bobby will be greatly missed by his children: Brayden and Bella; parents: Bob and Kim; sister, Heather (Jeff) Lewis and their children: Mahree and Brynlee, and sister, Kristen (Tyler) Pearson; grandmother, Arlene Wilson. Also surviving is a special friend, Candy Ireland and her daughter, Berklie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
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