Obituary for Robert G. Waldhelm Jr. ROBERT G. WALDHELM JR. , 69 of Ogallala, passed away Friday, December 14, 2018, at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala. Bob was born July 24, 1949, to Robert George Waldhelm and Frances Emma (Heinlein) Waldhelm in Long Branch New Jersey.
Bob was the 5th of seven children, and he spent his youth living in several communities in New Jersey. Bob graduated from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, NJ in 1967 before joining the United States Air Force after graduation. He ended his military career in 1971 at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha where he stayed.
In 1975, he married Susan Jones of Silver Creek NE, and they had three children before divorcing in 1981. In 1981, Bob moved to Grand Island NE where he later met and married Linda Merritt on December 31, 1983. Soon after, they became Licensed Foster Parents and during the next few years, had over 20 Foster children in their home.
In 1987, Bob and Linda moved to New Jersey where their daughter Tara was born in 1993. In 1995, the family moved to Denver CO where Bob started his own company installing windows and siding after their daughter Balie was born. In 1997, the family returned to Nebraska to be closer to family and settled in Ogallala.
Bob continued his business but later went to work for Ogallala Public Schools where he worked as maintenance, custodian, and bus driver for the Middle School and High school. Bob also worked at the Mid Plains Community College Ogallala Campus as a custodian after his retirement from the Public Schools. Bob loved attending Ogallala High School football games, plays, and concerts, but especially his interactions with the students.
Bob, or Uncle Red as he was known in his youth, was a favorite uncle to his many nieces and nephews, but he had always had a special place in his heart for children. Kids of all ages seemed to enjoy Bob’s company, and he made many lasting friendships while working for Ogallala Public Schools and surrounding communities mentoring troubled teens. Bob enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, fishing, and watching Nebraska football.
In his youth, baseball was his favorite sport, and he played softball well into his 40’s. Bob was an avid bowler, at one time reaching a 220 average. Although, he experienced many health problems since 2008 and was unable to do many of the things he had loved to do, Bob still went fishing and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert George Waldhelm; mother, Frances Emma (Heinlein) Waldhelm; brother, John Devereaux; sister, Jacqueline (Devereaux) Minervini; and a child, Joshua Alan. Surviving Family Members include his spouse, Linda (Merritt) Waldhelm of Ogallala; 5 children, Vicki Waldhelm of Grand Island, Timothy Waldhelm and his wife Roni (Heisler) of Ogallala, Amanda (Waldhelm) and her husband George John III Harring of Grand Island, Tara Waldhelm of Ogallala, Balie Waldhelm of Ogallala; 6 grandchildren, Keyle Heisler, Tanner Waldhelm, George John Harring IV, Dawson Harring, Addison Cochrane, and Maggie Cochrane; 3 sisters, Francine Devereaux of Sacramento, CA; Treasure Stever of Grand Island; and Melody Roe of Grand Island; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, too many to name individually. Special friends, Jerry Devereaux of Talbott, TN and Jerry Ready of Ogallala.
Special thanks to Tracy Eveland, Daisy Garcia, Sharon Jones, the staff at Ogallala Indian Hills Manor, and the staff at Ogallala Community Hospital. Services will be Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Arterburn Youth Cabin in Ogallala. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala, NE is in charge of arrangements.
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