Robert Barry 'Ben' Propp

Robert Barry 'Ben' Propp

Nov. 8, 1939 - Jan.11, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Robert Barry "Ben" Propp, age 73, entered eternal rest on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at his home after a courageous three year battle with cancer.

The son of Harry and Sylvia (Graybeal) Propp, was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His early years were spent in the Culbertson and Trenton area where he attended grade school. The family moved to McCook in 1954. He graduated from McCook High School in 1958.

He was married to Selma Martin on April 9, 1961. Two daughters were born to this union. On Feb. 23, 1968, he was married to Mary Phillips. They would have celebrated their 45th anniversary in a few weeks. They were blessed with a daughter and six sons.

Ben worked in several occupations in his lifetime, including NPPD, McCook Packing Plant and hauling gas for Drake Oil Company. He worked several years for Ritemix Milling Company, later Cargill. After his second marriage, the family moved to his wife's childhood farm home where he was engaged in farming and hog raising with his father-in-law, Charlie Phillips. In 1980, the family moved back to McCook. He began hauling gas for Kugler Oil Company in 1981, retiring after 24 years. He soon missed trucking and went back to work for Kugler on a part-time basis until ill-health forced him to quit entirely.

Ben was a member of McCook Christian Church where he served many years as an elder.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant son, Robert Charles.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Propp of McCook; three daughters, Pamela (Steve) Brunswick, Tammy "Jeanie" Clapp and Becky Propp, all of McCook; five sons, Scott (Brenda) of Hastings, Randy (Melissa) of McCook, twins Jon (Wendy) and Shaun (Rachel) of Hastings, and Kyle (Tanya) of Overton; 23 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two step great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara (Roger) Musgrave of McCook and Anna Allison of Lincoln; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to the McCook Christian Church or American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, from 1-8 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home. Friends may go online at to extend condolences to the family.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at McCook Christian Church with Pastor Clark Bates and Pastor Dale Heimer officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.