Robert Paul Kottemann

Robert Paul (Bob) Kottemann of Crawfordville, FL passed on July 27, 2020, following a lengthy illness. Bob was born on April 9, 1953 in Iowa City, Iowa, to Dr. William and Margaret (Eisenman) Kottemann. He is survived by his wife Cynthia (Cindy) Carper, who he was with for 49 years; his brothers, Dr. William Kottemann and Brent Kottemann; stepsisters, Barbara Larew and Janet Beal; stepbrother, Mike Winner and nieces and nephews. Bob lived in Iowa City until 1988, where he booked bands and mixed sound for music clubs, and was an audio technician for touring rock, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and reggae bands in the Midwest. With wife, Cindy, also an audio technician, he learned lighting through the stagehands union, International Alliance of Theatre and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 690, Iowa City, IA. In 1988, Bob and Cindy moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where they joined IATSE Local 46, and did trade shows and conventions; and ran spotlight on state concerts, The Grand Ole Opry, TV specials including Country Music Association Awards; touring Broadway shows. Bob became Head Electrician on touring Broadway shows when these shows were in Nashville. They retired in 2016, and moved to Crawfordville, Florida in 2017. Bob was a writer, musician (bass and drums), and a songwriter. He had a quick wit, a great sense of humor, was a raconteur who peppered his stories with hilarious names and terms that he made up. Bob had a keen interest in history, particularly military history, ad could brilliantly, enthusiastically, and entertainingly discuss military strategy and details of battles ranging from the Peloponnesian Wars of ancient Greece to 21st century conflicts. Bob loved many types of music; his favorite artists were the Beatles, and Bob Marley. He loved sports, was a die-hard University of Iowa Hawkeyes football fan; baseball a loyal Mets and Cubs fan; and Nashville Predators ice hockey fan; and Bob enjoyed fishing. He liked camping, taking trips to state parks, historical sites, and he toured nearly every Civil War battle site in the South. Bob was interested in horticulture and enjoyed landscaping. He was an environmentalist, loved nature and wildlife, was a Friend of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and a member of The Nature Conservancy. A celebration of Life for Bob will be held at a later time, when the Covid threat is over, at Wakulla River Park in St. Marks, Florida. Breanna Green and Kimberly Crum with Bevis Funeral Home of Crawfordville are assisting the family with arrangements. (850-926-3333, www.bevsfh.com)

Tributes

Robert Paul Kottemann

April 9, 1953 - July 27, 2020