Robert Lee "Bob" Plank of Gothenburg,_Nebraska, died on June 4th, 2012 at Gothenburg.

He was born on Easter Sunday, April 4th, 1926, north of Gothenburg. He was the second child of C. Emil and Margaret (Block) Plank.

Bob was a life-long member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gothenburg and was baptized May 2nd, 1926, by Pastor Chr. Rautenstrauss and confirmed June 23rd, 1940, by Pastor A. J. Duis.

He attended School District 82 north of Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy, entering boot camp at Historical Boot Camp Farragut Idaho and was a member of the Navy Seabees during World War II he served in the Pacific Theater. He was presented medals and commendations for his service. Following his discharge from the service he farmed and ranched north of Gothenburg.

On November 18th, 1951, he married Marjorie Lou "Marj" Franzen, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. To this union were born five daughters. They had the privilege of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in November of 2001 along with their daughters, families and friends and their 60th anniversary in November 2011.

Bob served on the Zion church council for several terms, was on other church boards and committees, churchmen and the cemetery committee. He also served on the election board. He was a leader of the Vaquero's Horse 4-H Club for over 15 years and served on Dawson County Extension Board a number of years. He was a continuous member of American Legion Post #64 and V.F.W. Post 5132. He was a member of Gothenburg "District 4" Rural Fire Board, being secretary/treasurer for over 24 years. He served on the District 88 school board serving at the time several districts that formed District 100R. He rode the Pony Express Route every run from 1961 until 2001, carrying the Olympic Torch in 1996. He raised exotic animal and organized the sales in Gothenburg and North Platte for many years. He was a man of faith and loved his family. He enjoyed his animals, especially horses and enjoyed watching football.

Survivors include (his wife) Marjorie, five daughters; Kendra (Hal) Fecht of Gothenburg; Kay (Craig) Streeter of Gothenburg; Kimberly (Jeffrey) Aurich of North Platte, Nebraska; Karla (Randall) Ricley of Gothenburg and Kelli (Stephen) Schwaller, Jr. of Lincoln, Nebraska, six granddaughters and six grandsons; Jori (Charles) Jones, Zachariah (Trenda) Fecht, Jacob (Julie) Fecht, Brooke (Kurt) Stevens, Blayre Streeter, Blake (Mary) Streeter, Kayla Aurich, Tucker (Ashley) Aurich, Casey (Josh) Handlin, Logan (Stephanie) Ricley, Paige Schwaller, Jeffrey Schwaller and 19 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Sydney, Hunter and Archer Jones, Grady and Kyle Fecht, Gunnar and Beau Fecht, Trey and Teegan Stevens, Avery, Addisyn and Alyvia Streeter, Miles Streeter, Beckham Aurich, Tristan and Zoe Handlin, and Hayden and Brigham Ricley; his sister Orvene Sturgeon of Denver, Colorado and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Lee Plank, and a granddaughter Bailey Kay Streeter on March 12th, 2004.

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, in Gothenburg; (today) Thursday, June 7th, 2012, from 1 .p.m -8 p.m. with the family present from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.   

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 8th, 2012, at the Zion Lutheran Church at Gothenburg, with Pastor Matthew Groenke and Jo Anderson, PMA, officiating.   

Interment will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Gothenburg.

Memorial may be directed to the Zion Lutheran Church, 77191 Hwy 47, Gothenburg, NE 69138 or the Gothenburg Rural Fire Department.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.blasestrauser.com.