Robert (Bob) David Stensvad

Robert (Bob) David Stensvad

Aug. 21, 1940 - Feb.18, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- Robert (Bob) David Stensvad, 74, of McCook, died Feb. 18, 2015, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was a kidney cancer survivor since 2009, but succumbed to Stage 6 renal failure and congestive heart failure.

He was born Aug. 21, 1940, at North Platte to Arthur Edward Stensvad and Marie Jeanne "Betty" Bullis. Bob was baptized in the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in North Platte. He attended grade school and high school in North Platte, graduating in 1959.

As a young boy, he helped his dad and grandpa at the Stensvad Poultry, Eggs and Creamery that was started at North Platte in the 1890s and he built egg crates for a nickel each. He also rode with the train crews on the switch engines at stops around the city. While around the train depot with his dog and seeing the soldiers getting off the train to get great homemade cooking at the Canteen in 1946, his dog ended up jumping on board the train and rode with the soldiers to California. Bob rode the rail to Gothenburg to visit his Bullis grandparents, where his grandpa worked at the steam engine water/sand stop there and it was a great place for a young boy to play. Bob spent many days playing at what is now known as Scouts Rest Ranch, since his Grandpa Stensvad and Bill Cody were good friends. Other times, you could find him playing in the North Platte River and he spent many nights camping out with his friends along the river. He hired out on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1956 during the steam engine era and retired as an engineer in 2000, after 44 years of service on various lines including Rio Grande Western, Durango Silverton and Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Feb. 15, 1960, for his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He later served at the Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, until his discharge.

Bob married Lou Ann Morris on April 28, 1962, at Lake Manawa, Iowa. To this union three sons were born.

Bob and Lou Ann were charter members of the High Plains Model Railroad Club in McCook, of which Bob was the president for many years; a lifetime charter member of the Colorado Museum and a lifetime member of the Union Pacific Historical Society, along with being a member of the BLET and American Legion. Bob and Lou Ann both enjoyed railroading events in many states throughout their marriage. Lou Ann died Sept. 13, 1997, in North Platte.

On April 16, 2004, Bob married Carol Cooper-Schneider at Holy Family Catholic Church in Palisade. Carol has two sons. Bob and Carol enjoyed traveling throughout Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, following various railroad events; sightseeing and fishing in Alaska; and visiting Yellowstone National Park. One highlight of Bob's life was when they took grandsons, Eric, Trey and Travis, to the Kennedy Space Center and Disneyland in Orlando, Florida. Bob was a collector of guns, planes, Nascar, classic cars, kiddie cars, marbles, glassware, knives and several scales of railroad engines and equipment. A joy in his life was giving items away to others who enjoyed the same interests. He was an avid builder of model brass steam engines and tenders along with war airplanes.

During an afternoon of sickness after receiving the eighth and last session of dialysis on Nov. 4, 2014, he wrote the following verse: "Autumn leaves have fallen -- like the years of my life. Once full of life and color from a spring rain -- now has turned to snow. So ends my life -- until we meet again. Bob"

Survivors include his wife, Carol; three sons, James Robert (Paula) and Mark David of McCook, and Brian Lee of Hastings; stepsons, Mike (Renee) Schneider of Papillion and Scott (Katie) of Anchorage, Alaska; grandson, Eric (Kait) of McCook; step-grandsons, Trey Schneider of San Diego, California and his fiance', Abby Snyder of Papillion, Travis Schneider of Papillion and Christopher Schneider of Anchorage, Alaska; great-grandsons, Rykker and Riley of McCook; sister, Carol Evans of Arvada, Colorado; uncle, Richard Bullis of Johnson Lake; aunt, Jean Bennett of Milford; niece, Chantal Evans of Wellington, Colorado; and a host of lifelong friends, including Francis Gschwind of Callaway, Jim Ehrnberger of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and many other close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Lou Ann. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lincoln County Museum, 2403 N Buffalo Bill Avenue, North Platte, NE 69101; or the Museum of the High Plains Historical Society, 413 Norris Avenue, McCook, NE 69001; or Community Hospital Healthcare and Hospice, P.O. Box 1328, McCook, NE 69001.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Sunday Feb. 22, 2015, from 1 to 7 p.m. to sign the memorial book and to visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside services and inurnment will be Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at 3 p.m. at the North Platte Cemetery, West 12th and Highway 30 with Pastor Brad Brauer officiating.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Home of McCook, Nebraska, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left on the website at www.herrmannfh.com.