Robert Plank

Robert Lee “Bob” Plank was born on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1926, north of Gothenburg, Nebraska. He was the second child of C. Emil and Margaret (Block) Plank. He died June 4, 2012 at Gothenburg, Nebraska at the age of 86 years.

He was a life long member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gothenburg, and was baptized May 2, 1926, by Pastor Chr. Rautenstrauss and confirmed June 23, 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 18, 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, church men 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, Gothenburg; Kay (Craig) Streeter, Gothenburg; Kimberly (Jeffrey) Aurich, North Platte; Karla (Randall) Ricley, Gothenburg and Kelli (Stephen) Schwaller, Jr. Lincoln, 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 Halndlin, and Hayden and Brigham Ricley; his sister Orvene Sturgeon of Denver, 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 12, 2004