Robert Bates
Robert Bruce “Kip” Bates III — a Marine who fought in Operation Desert Storm — was a man who loved family and known for being the type of guy who’d help out older people. When he was shot and killed late evening on September 27, 2007, while working at a Carter Lake, Iowa, convenience store, his death devastated family and friends from across the U.S.
In response to a WOWT Channel 6 news report the following day, many took time to post their thoughts and condolences on the network’s website. Their words are a testament to the legacy one man left behind in his all-too-short life.
With credit to WOWT, I’m including them here in an effort to provide a more complete picture of how Robert “Kip” Bates affected so many lives, and with the hope that someone will come forward with information that may help solve this case.
Anyone with any information on this unsolved murder is encouraged to call the Carter Lake Police Department at 712-347-5920.
Comments posted from WOWT viewers do not always reflect the station’s views. None of those included here have been edited in any way.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 14, 2008 at 03:35 PM
I just came across this news article and have to ask, Is this the Kip Bates that lived in Salinas, California? I’ve know Kip since the late 80’s. What a tragedy. I am shocked to learn of this terrible news.
Posted by: Josie on Oct 11, 2007 at 03:51 PM
I have known Kip for 18 years. Kip and I share a son together. Robert Bates IV he is 9 years old and he too has developed the same traits as his Dad. Our son is kind, respectful and has his dad’s good looks and great smile. My son will never get his father back because of this senseless cowardly act! What this person has done to this family is beyond words! If anyone has information on who is responsible for his murder, please report it to the local authorities. Kip we will miss you and we will always have you in ours hearts and thoughts. We love you!
Posted by: Lisa on Oct 6, 2007 at 06:34 PM
I am Kip’s sister and I think is a senceless crime. Kip has a family that loved him. He was a good person. I dont understand this mess. I hope and pray that the person responsible for this will be caught. When this person is caught, we will all be there looking into his eyes when he is sentenced. Someone has to know what happened and why! Kip, may you rest peacefully in Gods arms. Till we meet again. I love you- Lisa
Posted by: Jim on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:37 PM
I viewed my brother Kip’s body today something I didn’t ever expect to do. It deeply saddens me to know that his life was so tragically taken from so many of us who loved him. It also makes me very angry however I will pray and have faith in our justice system to find you, the person who murdered my brother and when they do I will be there to make sure justice will be served. I want to thank everyone for there prayers and sympathy. Kip Rest in peace I LOVE YOU JIMMY
Posted by: Stephanie on Oct 5, 2007 at 01:46 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Bates family. Robert was a great friend and an amazing person! Robert I love you very much and will miss you more than words can express! Rest in peace, and I will see you again someday! Love Stephanie
Posted by: Stephanie on Oct 5, 2007 at 01:20 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Bates family, he was an amazing person! I will miss everything about him. He was a great friend! Robert, I love you with all my heart, and miss you more than words can express! I will see you again someday!
Posted by: Michele on Oct 4, 2007 at 10:21 AM
my prayers go out to the family of robert. my heart goes out to his unborn little baby boy or girl who won’t be able to meet to there daddy!! i met robert on one occasion and he was very polite and respectable to me, it’s sad that now a days you can’t even go to work or walk outside your own home with wondering am i going to be shot or killed today?! you will be missed and when your new baby comes he or she will grow up knowing how good of a person you were and will grow up being a great person because of you. rest in peace and god bless you.
Posted by: Belle on Oct 3, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Robert we all loved you. From the day I met you I have loved you.Our lives will not be th same without your smile or your kindness. My thoughts are with all of his family and friends. Kip I love you and miss you. I will see you again and I cant wait for that day.
Posted by: Tracy on Oct 2, 2007 at 02:49 PM
ROBERT IS GONIG TO BE MISSED VERY MUCH!!! I HAVE KNOWN ROBERT FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND THOSE OF BEEN THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE! ROBERT WAS A GREAT MAN TO MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. WE ARE EXPECTING A BABY IN MID OCTOBER AND NOW HE WILL NOT BE HERE TO SHARE THE NEW LIFE WE CREATED. I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIM. I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE ARE CAUGHT. I LOVE AND MISS YOU ROBERT. I WILL SHARE STORIES TO OUR CHILD ABOUT YOU. LOVE TRACY
Posted by: Dee on Oct 1, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Rob was a joy to be around! I’m a regular at that store, and every time I came, he made me feel like a valued person, ya know? Always smiling that perfect, straight white smile, always friendly… I’m really wondering what the “to serve and protect” part of the badge actually means. Rob was not protected. And over what? Does anyone have any further info yet? I can’t wait to see justice served on the coward that stole such a wonderful person from this world! To his family, congratulations, you made a wonderful man. And to all who knew him, may your good memories outweigh the bad, and i offer my deepest condolences to help you through this difficult transition. Rest in peace, Rob. You were the only good part about going to the gas station and paying so dang much at the pump! You will be missed.
Posted by: tj on Sep 30, 2007 at 08:37 AM
This is absolutely tragic!! My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those who know him. And my prayers are Also with the police as they try to find this murderer. I truly hope that anyone that has even the slightest details will call the police and help get this cowardly evil man off the streets!
Posted by: Anna on Sep 29, 2007 at 10:57 PM
THIS KILLING OF MY GRANDSON WAS NEEDLESS. GOD SAID,” VENGENCE IS MINE”. I THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SYMPATHY AND KIND WORDS. KIP WAS ALL OF HIS YOUNG FAMILIES MENTOR. WE LOVE YOU KIP, ALWAYS AND FOREVER. GRANDMA ‘POOKIE’
Posted by: Jenny on Sep 29, 2007 at 10:13 PM
To the Bates family! I wanted to say how so sorry i am to hear about your loss! It was such an horrible thing! I cant believe some of the people we have running around this world, and i agree with everyone else lets get this pukes off the streets and stop worrying about stupid things that dont matter more then life or death and for whoever done that to this hard honest working man most pay! And i hope that god for see’s that to happen! God bless you and you are in my prayers!
Posted by: Angela on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:35 PM
Thank You and God Bless the Iowa and Omaha Police & All Law Enforcement Officers. Our Family knows the Prayers of the Righteous Man availeth Much. (James 5:16)
Posted by: Angela on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:18 PM
My Nephew is and was good people he did not deserve to be murdered. I would Just like to say thanks to all the people for your heartfelt sympathy. God Bless You. And all the rest who are using his death as policial jargon, get a life.
Posted by: Lezlie on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:15 PM
The aunt of Robert Bates III would like to thank you for those kind words. God is in charge of the Family now. I am looking for justice and truly believe in the Omaha Police Department. Go get um.
Posted by: RIck on Sep 28, 2007 at 04:42 PM
My heart goes out to the family of Mr. Bates as this is such a senseless crime.
Posted by: Roxanne on Sep 28, 2007 at 03:54 PM
To the family of Robert Bates, I am sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you at your time of need. We have a person who was shot at his work to maybe pay for his car, buy books for college, maybe he was working to put food on the table to feed a family. We know that this person is someone’s son, grandson, possibly a father, maybe a husband. All the money in the world right now will not bring him back, but maybe some words of kindness to the family would be a nice thought.
Recent Comments