March 21, 2019
March 21, 2019
Sadly missing a truly good person.
This memorial website was created in memory of Bob Jensen who passed away on March 21, 2014. Bob touched a lot of people through his artwork and thoughtful acts of kindness. If you have a painting, greeting card, children's book or even a story about Bob, please upload a photo or share a memory here. He was a very special person who always thought of others first. This site is a celebration of his life and the strong example he set for everyone around him.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
April 3, 2014
April 3, 2014
Mary and family,
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
We hope that over time you find peace in the memories you carry in your heart.
You can be so proud of Bob and the blessing he was to so many people.
Will close with the Aborigine Philosophy:
"We are all visitors to this time, this place.
We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe,
to learn, to grow, to love................
and then we return Home." God bless/ Jan Vold and family
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
We hope that over time you find peace in the memories you carry in your heart.
You can be so proud of Bob and the blessing he was to so many people.
Will close with the Aborigine Philosophy:
"We are all visitors to this time, this place.
We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe,
to learn, to grow, to love................
and then we return Home." God bless/ Jan Vold and family
March 28, 2014
March 28, 2014
We were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former superintendent Robert Jensen. Many of us here in the town of Towa, Japan enjoyed a long and close relationship with Mr. Jensen. He will be sorely missed here.
Mr. Jensen was a highly respected member of the Clinton community with a warm personality. Through his long service as superintendent, he actively worked to develop all facets of the school system. We have lost a great leader with his passing.
Towa’s relationship with Mr. Jensen began in the latter half of the 1980s when a member of the Towa community named Mr. Takahashi went to Clinton on an agricultural study trip. He met Mr. Jensen there, and Mr. Jensen expressed a strong desire to see the burgeoning relationship between Towa and Clinton continue. Mr. Jensen himself came to Towa shortly after, and was instrumental in starting an exchange program for middle school students that continues to this day.
Since that time, roughly 10 students have participated in the exchange program yearly, and in the nearly quarter of a century since then hundreds of young people have benefitted from the program by deepening their global understanding through learning about the culture, history, lifestyle and customs of one another’s countries.
In 1994, Mr. Jensen initiated discussion that led to the creation of a Clinton Center in Towa to introduce students in Towa to school life and the Clinton area. This project would not have been realized without Mr. Jensen’s commitment and leadership.
Mr. Jensen was also instrumental in bringing a traditional dance group from Towa to the United States, creating another opportunity for deepened understanding and appreciation between our communities. While Towa and Clinton never officially became sister cities, there is no doubt that the relationship has been even closer than many cities that have that official title.
Towa’s relationship with Clinton also marked the start of our community’s concerted efforts at promoting international exchanges, to the point that Towa came to be called an “international exchange* community.
We have enjoyed a bond with Mr. Jensen that cannot be broken, and are deeply grateful for his meaningful work and contributions to that relationship. We had hoped that we could enjoy Mr. Jensen’s support for many more years, but sadly this is not to be.
When we think of Mr. Jensen at his final rest, we are so thankful for the key role he played in bridging our communities for much of his life. We want to express our gratitude for his giving heart, and to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss. Hoping that our relationship with Clinton will continue to grow, we bid him a fond farewell.
From your friends in Towa
Mineo Odashima (former mayor of Towa)
Akira Sasaki
Minako Yoshida
Rikizo Aoki
Kiyomi Obara (nee Kikuchi)
Megumi Ito
Mr. Jensen was a highly respected member of the Clinton community with a warm personality. Through his long service as superintendent, he actively worked to develop all facets of the school system. We have lost a great leader with his passing.
Towa’s relationship with Mr. Jensen began in the latter half of the 1980s when a member of the Towa community named Mr. Takahashi went to Clinton on an agricultural study trip. He met Mr. Jensen there, and Mr. Jensen expressed a strong desire to see the burgeoning relationship between Towa and Clinton continue. Mr. Jensen himself came to Towa shortly after, and was instrumental in starting an exchange program for middle school students that continues to this day.
Since that time, roughly 10 students have participated in the exchange program yearly, and in the nearly quarter of a century since then hundreds of young people have benefitted from the program by deepening their global understanding through learning about the culture, history, lifestyle and customs of one another’s countries.
In 1994, Mr. Jensen initiated discussion that led to the creation of a Clinton Center in Towa to introduce students in Towa to school life and the Clinton area. This project would not have been realized without Mr. Jensen’s commitment and leadership.
Mr. Jensen was also instrumental in bringing a traditional dance group from Towa to the United States, creating another opportunity for deepened understanding and appreciation between our communities. While Towa and Clinton never officially became sister cities, there is no doubt that the relationship has been even closer than many cities that have that official title.
Towa’s relationship with Clinton also marked the start of our community’s concerted efforts at promoting international exchanges, to the point that Towa came to be called an “international exchange* community.
We have enjoyed a bond with Mr. Jensen that cannot be broken, and are deeply grateful for his meaningful work and contributions to that relationship. We had hoped that we could enjoy Mr. Jensen’s support for many more years, but sadly this is not to be.
When we think of Mr. Jensen at his final rest, we are so thankful for the key role he played in bridging our communities for much of his life. We want to express our gratitude for his giving heart, and to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss. Hoping that our relationship with Clinton will continue to grow, we bid him a fond farewell.
From your friends in Towa
Mineo Odashima (former mayor of Towa)
Akira Sasaki
Minako Yoshida
Rikizo Aoki
Kiyomi Obara (nee Kikuchi)
Megumi Ito
March 27, 2014
March 27, 2014
Mr. Jensen was superintendent at Clinton when I was hired there. I admired his style and artistic abilities. I will remember him as a kind and caring individual. He most certainly will be missed by his loved ones and the Clinton community. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you.
March 25, 2014
March 25, 2014
Although I have never met Mr. Jensen I feel like I have known him all to well. Jan and I worked together and always had such fun stories to tell us about her parents. I hope you find peace in knowing how much you were loved by your little girl.
March 24, 2014
March 24, 2014
It is my honor to have known Bob and the Jensen family. He raised amazing children who chose amazing significant others. Your family is tight knit and will make it thru the trials and tribulations to come. Soon the pain will soften as you revel in the memory of such a talented and loving soul. We have all been blessed by Bob in our own moments. He will be missed but not forgotten. Years to come when his name is spoken it will be with love and kindness what better way to leave your imprint in life,
March 24, 2014
March 24, 2014
praying for all
March 21, 2014
March 21, 2014
"Church dinner", "Fireman's picnic", "Pancake breakfast"...if there was a sign in Clinton announcing some to-do then 10-1 it was in Mr. Jensen's distinctive font...as the years have passed memories become like dappled sunlight...the strongest for me are the smell of cigarettes, the strings of origami, a HUGE and imposing office (which is probably of normal size if it was revisited with adult eyes), height, a friendly smile and the patience...amazing patience for a gaggle of little girls, pre-teens, teenagers...Jan, your father left his mark and he will be remembered and missed. Love to all of you.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
March 21, 2019
March 21, 2019
Sadly missing a truly good person.
April 3, 2014
April 3, 2014
Mary and family,
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
We hope that over time you find peace in the memories you carry in your heart.
You can be so proud of Bob and the blessing he was to so many people.
Will close with the Aborigine Philosophy:
"We are all visitors to this time, this place.
We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe,
to learn, to grow, to love................
and then we return Home." God bless/ Jan Vold and family
Our deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
We hope that over time you find peace in the memories you carry in your heart.
You can be so proud of Bob and the blessing he was to so many people.
Will close with the Aborigine Philosophy:
"We are all visitors to this time, this place.
We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe,
to learn, to grow, to love................
and then we return Home." God bless/ Jan Vold and family
March 28, 2014
March 28, 2014
We were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former superintendent Robert Jensen. Many of us here in the town of Towa, Japan enjoyed a long and close relationship with Mr. Jensen. He will be sorely missed here.
Mr. Jensen was a highly respected member of the Clinton community with a warm personality. Through his long service as superintendent, he actively worked to develop all facets of the school system. We have lost a great leader with his passing.
Towa’s relationship with Mr. Jensen began in the latter half of the 1980s when a member of the Towa community named Mr. Takahashi went to Clinton on an agricultural study trip. He met Mr. Jensen there, and Mr. Jensen expressed a strong desire to see the burgeoning relationship between Towa and Clinton continue. Mr. Jensen himself came to Towa shortly after, and was instrumental in starting an exchange program for middle school students that continues to this day.
Since that time, roughly 10 students have participated in the exchange program yearly, and in the nearly quarter of a century since then hundreds of young people have benefitted from the program by deepening their global understanding through learning about the culture, history, lifestyle and customs of one another’s countries.
In 1994, Mr. Jensen initiated discussion that led to the creation of a Clinton Center in Towa to introduce students in Towa to school life and the Clinton area. This project would not have been realized without Mr. Jensen’s commitment and leadership.
Mr. Jensen was also instrumental in bringing a traditional dance group from Towa to the United States, creating another opportunity for deepened understanding and appreciation between our communities. While Towa and Clinton never officially became sister cities, there is no doubt that the relationship has been even closer than many cities that have that official title.
Towa’s relationship with Clinton also marked the start of our community’s concerted efforts at promoting international exchanges, to the point that Towa came to be called an “international exchange* community.
We have enjoyed a bond with Mr. Jensen that cannot be broken, and are deeply grateful for his meaningful work and contributions to that relationship. We had hoped that we could enjoy Mr. Jensen’s support for many more years, but sadly this is not to be.
When we think of Mr. Jensen at his final rest, we are so thankful for the key role he played in bridging our communities for much of his life. We want to express our gratitude for his giving heart, and to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss. Hoping that our relationship with Clinton will continue to grow, we bid him a fond farewell.
From your friends in Towa
Mineo Odashima (former mayor of Towa)
Akira Sasaki
Minako Yoshida
Rikizo Aoki
Kiyomi Obara (nee Kikuchi)
Megumi Ito
Mr. Jensen was a highly respected member of the Clinton community with a warm personality. Through his long service as superintendent, he actively worked to develop all facets of the school system. We have lost a great leader with his passing.
Towa’s relationship with Mr. Jensen began in the latter half of the 1980s when a member of the Towa community named Mr. Takahashi went to Clinton on an agricultural study trip. He met Mr. Jensen there, and Mr. Jensen expressed a strong desire to see the burgeoning relationship between Towa and Clinton continue. Mr. Jensen himself came to Towa shortly after, and was instrumental in starting an exchange program for middle school students that continues to this day.
Since that time, roughly 10 students have participated in the exchange program yearly, and in the nearly quarter of a century since then hundreds of young people have benefitted from the program by deepening their global understanding through learning about the culture, history, lifestyle and customs of one another’s countries.
In 1994, Mr. Jensen initiated discussion that led to the creation of a Clinton Center in Towa to introduce students in Towa to school life and the Clinton area. This project would not have been realized without Mr. Jensen’s commitment and leadership.
Mr. Jensen was also instrumental in bringing a traditional dance group from Towa to the United States, creating another opportunity for deepened understanding and appreciation between our communities. While Towa and Clinton never officially became sister cities, there is no doubt that the relationship has been even closer than many cities that have that official title.
Towa’s relationship with Clinton also marked the start of our community’s concerted efforts at promoting international exchanges, to the point that Towa came to be called an “international exchange* community.
We have enjoyed a bond with Mr. Jensen that cannot be broken, and are deeply grateful for his meaningful work and contributions to that relationship. We had hoped that we could enjoy Mr. Jensen’s support for many more years, but sadly this is not to be.
When we think of Mr. Jensen at his final rest, we are so thankful for the key role he played in bridging our communities for much of his life. We want to express our gratitude for his giving heart, and to express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss. Hoping that our relationship with Clinton will continue to grow, we bid him a fond farewell.
From your friends in Towa
Mineo Odashima (former mayor of Towa)
Akira Sasaki
Minako Yoshida
Rikizo Aoki
Kiyomi Obara (nee Kikuchi)
Megumi Ito
Gallery
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Anniversary
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Recent stories
Del Wed
March 26, 2014
In 1980 I received a call from Mr. Jensen asking me to come into his office for an interview. A short time before that I had applied to become a bus driver. The position I interview for was for the accounts payable position. He hired me a few days later and when he retired in 1998 I was still working for him. I have always been thankful to him for the opportunity to work in the business office as I know I would never have made it as a bus driver. When you work with someone for 18 years there are bound to be instances that you wish your boss would not have discovered. I made the mistake of trying to get an invoice approved by someone called Del Wed when actually Del Wed stood for Delivery Wednesday. Mr. Jensen had a field day with that one. Mr. Del Wed became the new imaginary employee in our office for quit a while. Mr. Jensen's art work decorated our office, our desks and even our windows with the beautiful display of orgami. Mr. Jensen was a great boss and I really enjoyed working with him and for him. I guess that is why I still call him Mr. Jensen.
Touching Lives
March 25, 2014
A year and a half ago Ray and I were leaving our oldest daughter's graduation. Bob walked up to me with a big smile on his face (as usual). Nikki had given one of the valedictorian speeches and Bob was as proud as could be. " I especially liked that speech because I had a little something to do with that graduate being here." He was referring to the fact that he had hired both Ray and I. We met in Clinton, married here and raised our family here. Bob definitely touched our lives. From the day we got our welcome to Clinton cartoons, to our trip to Japan with Bob's exchange program, to now. He will be greatly missed. But what a wonderful life he lived!
Baby announcement
March 24, 2014
It was early in 1983, and I had talked to Bob about taking maternity leave from CHS. He surprised me with a HUGE card in a red envelope, which I assumed was a gift from my Valentine pal--some kind of secret exchange thing the staff was doing as a fun diversion from teaching. Everyone encouraged me to open it over lunch in the staff lounge. It said "So you're expecting a stork.(There was a stork with a postal outfit.) On the inside it said "wouldn't you rather have a baby?" And that was the way the high school staff found out I was indeed expecting my first child. I didn't mind at all; it eliminated my need to make some kind of announcement! Craig still has the poster-sized card Bob sent when he became the Rock County administrator, 30 years ago. And Kyle has the origami "thing" Bob sent him in fourth grade(he can tell you the Japanese name) when he was experiencing some health issues. He was incredibly thoughful, and I enjoyed knowing him as his teacher, school board member, and friend.