Rupert W. “Bob” Huffman, 91, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away at 3:05 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at The Kensington. He was born on May 24, 1934 in Yates, MO to Samuel & Wanda Huffman. He married Rose Mary “Rosie” Hoenig on August 21, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison.
Bob was an expert welder and was very proud of that fact. Together with his wife, they founded Huffman Welding & Machine Inc. in November of 1971. What started as a one-man welding shop has grown into a manufacturing and farm store business that now employs more than 105 employees. His children & grandchildren operate the business today. He was tremendously proud of starting the business and the employees that made it successful. After his retirement from day-to-day management of the business, he and Rosie loved playing golf together. They traveled to Arizona to visit their daughter and enjoyed playing there, but especially at their home in the Ozarks, where he and Rosie spent many happy summer seasons. In his younger years, he was a competitive basketball player and once scored 48 points in a single game and had a streak of 48 consecutive free throws made. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Fort Madison and a former member of the Keokuk Eagle’s Club. He also served on the board of directors at St. Mary’s Academy in Nauvoo, IL. Throughout his life, it was very important to Bob to give back to the Fort Madison Community, especially to the youth in the area, and he instilled that in his own children at a young age. Throughout his life, Bob’s family and his community were the focus of his life. His family meant the world to him and he fiercely protected them whenever it was necessary.
Bob is survived by: his wife of 71 years, Rosie Huffman of Fort Madison, IA; 4-children: Mike (Roxie) Huffman of Fort Madison, IA, Debra “Debbie” (Dave) Mansheim of Yuma, AZ, Richard “Hank” (Peggy) Huffman of West Point, IA & Bob (Erica) Huffman of Fort Madison, IA; 8-grandchildren: Brooke Heckinger, Jason Huffman, Brent Mansheim, Megan Western, Ryan Mansheim, Katie Huffman, Ethan & Owen Huffman; 8-great grandchildren: Sawyer, Liam, Benjamin, Sophia, Kayleigh, Marissa, Penelope & Logan. He was preceded in death by: his parents, 1-brother, John, 1-sister, Laura Mae & 1-step sister, Frances May.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison with Rev. Gary Beckman officiating. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Bob’s memory. Online condolences to the Huffman family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
