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In Memory

Robert Colling - Class Of 1950

Robert R. Colling

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

 

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Robert R. Colling

 

Aug. 6, 1932 -April 17, 2016

 

 

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KEARNEY, Neb. -- Robert R. Colling, 83, of Kearney, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2016, at Good Samaritan Society Prairie View Gardens in Kearney. 

 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Kearney. Fathers Paul Colling, Bernard Berger and Joe Hannappel will co-celebrate. Burial will follow services at Kearney Cemetery with Military Honors by the Kearney American Legion Post No. 52, the Kearney Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 759 and the Nebraska National Guard Military Honors Team. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, April 21, 2016, from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Memorials are suggested to Kearney Catholic. Visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.

Bob was born on Aug. 6, 1932, in McCook, Neb., to Merle and Cecelia (Dempewolf) Colling. He grew up in the Indianola and McCook area and graduated from McCook High School in 1950. He enlisted into the United States Army Standby Reserve (Active Status) and served until his Honorable Discharge in 1959. Bob attended and graduated from McCook Community College in 1952 with an associate degree in the arts. He married Margaret Jones in McCook on Aug. 28, 1952. In 1955, he graduated from Hastings College with a bachelors of arts degree. After graduating, Bob took a position in Shelby, Neb., as principal, teacher and coach and later moved to Rapid City, S.D. to teach. He attended the State University of South Dakota and graduated with a master's degree in natural science. The family moved to Kearney in 1963, where Bob took a position at Kearney Catholic as a teacher, football and basketball coach. Two years later he accepted a position teaching mathematics at Kearney State College, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. 

Bob loved sports, fishing, hunting, teaching and his family, especially little children. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved spending time at the lake at his cabin. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels. He was very family oriented and intelligent but was also known as a jokester. He was respected by his students and they would often speak very highly of him. 

The last few months of Bob's life were spent at Prairie View Gardens Memory Care, where he formed a lasting relationship with the staff and administration. They are sure to remember his humor and almost constant walking. He will be missed by all that had the privilege to know him.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Margaret of Kearney; son, Doug Colling and wife, Terri of Kearney; daughter, Mary Nickel and husband Michael of Minden, Neb.; daughter, Sue Keizer and husband, Glen of Kearney; son, Dave Colling and wife, Annette of Kearney; son, Gary Colling of Kearney; brother, Jim Colling of Axtell, Neb.; sister, Marianne Colling of McCook; grandchildren, Christopher Colling, Lisa Adkins, Kerman Nickel, Jeremy Nickel, Aaron Nickel, Brandon Nickel, Kara Fierstein, Shane Klinginsmith, Jaime Shaw, Lee Colling, Jordan Quintana, Ryan Colling, Tyson Colling, Whitney Colling, Trey Colling, and Tessa Colling; 25 great-grandchildren and many other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.