Robert A. Ervolino, 77, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully on September 25, 2024, at home with his loving family by his side.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a wake service to be held at 12:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30th, 2024, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Fr. David Schatz officiating and Fr. Steve Garner concelebrating. He will be laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Robert A. Ervolino was born to Nicholas and Grace (Skelton) Ervolino on September 12, 1947, a time of warm interactions and neighborly bonds. Bob carried these qualities of altruism with him throughout his life, not only to close friends and family but to all he met. Bob’s intelligence was equal to his kindness, often offering his time and services to people out of the goodness of his heart. His thirst for understanding the world started with his hands, ever busy building, prodding, and fixing to understand the world better.

On January 11, 1975, Bob began a life with his soulmate, Jayne Billmeyer, the foundation and testament to the man he was throughout his life. Together, they had three children brought up in a loving home that smelled of grease, solder, possibility and optimism. His passion for using his hands passed on to his children, who work daily to shape, fix, and retool in his vision.

Bob worked at Sindt Motors and HYPO Inc. in his early years, fixing motorcycles and buying and selling high-performance car parts. His love for these machines was surpassed only by his love of buying, riding, and driving them, much to his mother’s dismay.  Later, Bob went on to work as an assistant plant manager at the City of Dubuque Municipal Water Plant, where he prided himself on his attention to detail and ability to use his hands to fix the problems others couldn’t. His attentive work ultimately led to a NASA Magazine publication, further inspiring his children’s love of science.

In 2006, Bob suffered a spinal stroke, which left him a quadriplegic, robbing him of his ability to work with his hands, but not his mind. Just as Bob had never spoken ill of another, he never complained about his plight, always supported by the foundation of his life, his soulmate, and wife, Jayne. Together, they became determined to overcome this obstacle, just one more task ahead of him that needed fixing.

With the support of Bob’s loving brother, John, he was able to receive alternative treatments in China and Germany. The brothers traveled the world in search of an elusive cure that could restore Bob to his former self, but no magical elixir was obtained, nor any miracle found.

Bob lived happily for 18 years in a condition most would struggle hours with. It was only by the love of his life, his foundation, which carried him every single moment of every single day. On January 11th, fifty years ago, a vow of sickness and health was uttered and never betrayed. The selfless love shared by Bob and Jayne built more than anything Bob created with his hands. Where Bob’s youth inspired curiosity in others, the last 18 years inspired determination, hope, and love. Bob’s family will always remember him as husband to Jayne, a shack built on her foundation, when brought together, made a home. A home that they opened to all they loved, bringing them into their warm embrace. In that home, Bob found his magical elixir, his miracle, not in the machines he fixed, nor in the things he built, but in the love of a wife who spent every moment of every day loving him back as much as he loved her. Bob will forever be remembered for that love.

Bob is survived by his wife Jayne and three children, Amy (Josh) Tranel, Anthony (Alyssia Ulrich) and Michael (Peyton) Ervolino, his nine amazing grandchildren (the joys of his life) Peyton, Eliana, Colton, Sophia, Scarlett, Lily, Leighton, Everly and Rowan. His brother John (Mary) Ervolino, a brother James/Butch Ervolino, A Brother-in-law Paul (Carol) Billmeyer, a sister-in-law Lisa (John) Gantenbein and many loved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Bob was proceeded in death by his parents, Grace and Nick, his mother and father-in-law Ruth and Richard Billmeyer, a brother and sister-in-law James and Mary Billmeyer and a Sister-in-Law Mion Ervolino.

Bob’s family wants to give a special thank you to the caregivers that were with Bob during all of his struggles, his best friend Steve Seipp, Carol Schmerbach and Ron Ludovissy these people gave him the love and care that helped make his life bearable and gave Jayne the much-needed support she needed to get thru.  Also, they would like to thank Dr. Kirkendall and his wonderful nurse Kate and the staff of hospice who got us thru the last few months, especially Kris H., Angelia and Jill.  Also, his family want to acknowledge the Clarke University Physical Therapy department that helped us be able to continue his therapy and keep him going as long as he did.

Memorials may be given in Bobs name, to St. Columbkille’s Church, Hospice of Dubuque or the Clarke University Physical Therapy Program.