Robert E. (Bob) Hackenkamp

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Sept. 21, 1943 - Jan.13, 2018

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Robert E. (Bob) Hackenkamp, 74, former McCook resident, passed away on Jan. 13, 2018, at a hospital in Colorado Springs. He was born on Sept. 21, 1943, in McCook, Neb., to August and Mamie (Cox) Hackenkamp.

 Bob was a 1961 graduate of McCook High School. While attending school there, he played defensive linebacker in every game for the 1960 Bison Big Ten Championship football team. In 2010, Bob and his teammates were inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame for their championship season.

 After graduation, Bob went to work for the Bob Phillips Construction Company, where he learned the brick trade from Webb Phillips.

 In 1963, some local adults were lamenting the fact that the youth of the era were “soft and not physically fit.” Bob saw that as a challenge and he and a friend, along with a few other youth from McCook, hiked 50 miles from Benkleman, Neb., to McCook to prove that the young people of the community were actually physically fit after all.

 On Feb. 14, 1965, Bob married Suzanne Urling at McCook. To this union four childten were born. They were married for 39 years and have since remained close friends,

At the age of 22, Bob started his own masonry business. A few years later he expanded his business to all phases of construction. As a general contractor, he did both commercial and residential work. During that time he built many fine homes in McCook and the surrounding area, including two beautiful homes for his family.

 In 1976, Bob was presented with the Layman of the Year award for the extensive restoration work he did at the old YMCA, donating not only his talents and labor, but materials as well. He also served on the YMCA Board of Directors.

 1982, Bob received a special award from the Midget League Baseball organization. That year saw a complete restoration of Felling Field, the little league ball field in McCook. For this huge project, Bob served as construction chairman where he once again donated not only his talents and labor, but that of his construction company employees as well. Bob also coached his own little league team and served as an umpire, too.

 In addition to the YMCA and Felling field projects, Bob did numerous community projects, always donating his time and talents, and quite frequently the materials needed for these various projects as well.

 Around 1980, Bob purchased a real American Bison buffalo to serve as a mascot for the local high school Bison football team. The mascot’s name was Victory E. Bison, and made appearances at some of the team’s home games.

He was also known to sponsor St. Alban’s Episcopal youth group on their ski trips to Winter Park, as well as several other youth oriented activities.

 In 1993, Bob moved to Ogallala, Neb., where he continued operating his masonry business in a wide surrounding area.

 Throughout his life, Bob had always liked to go hunting and fishing, especially with his children. The last few years he enjoyed working in the yard and flower gardening, but the most important thing for him was spending time with his granddaughters.

 Bob was preceded in death by two sons, Chad Hackenkamp and infant son, Brett Hackenkamp; his parents, August and Mamie Hackenkamp; a brother, Earnest Hackenkamp; and a sister, Irma Newberry.

 Besides Suzanne, Bob is survived by two daughters, Julie Bagley ( and husband Paul) of Cromwell, Conn., and Ashley Sloan Leva (and special friend, Jason Anderson) of Colorado Springs; three granddaughters, Morgan Hackenkamp of McCook, Mattison Leva of Colorado Springs, and Kinsey Bagley of Cromwell, Conn.; and one brother, David Hackenkamp of Castlerock, Colo.

 Bob had requested cremation. A memorial service will be held for him at a later date.

https://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2484497.html