Robert L. Gobber

Gretna -

Robert “Bob” Lee Gobber was born on July 3, 1942. He was the youngest of five children to Emma and Otto Gobber of Elk Creek, Nebraska. He was called to be with the Lord on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. His loved ones consider his passing on Christmas Day as a gift because he became free from illness and entered heaven to be with his Lord and Savior.

Bob graduated from Elk Creek High School and joined the National Guard in 1960. Rather than becoming a teacher, which is what his parents wanted him to be, he chose to attend the Milford Technical School and earned his degree in electronics in 1963. In 1976, Bob started his own company, Nebraska Business Electronics (NBE) Solutions, which sold and serviced office equipment. They first opened an office in Lincoln, then established the headquarters in Omaha, and eventually opened an office in Sioux Falls, SD. After 39 successful years, NBE Solutions was sold in 2015.

Bob met the love of his life, Vicky Robison, in high school. They were married on April 10, 1964, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elk Creek. Bob and Vic (as Bob often called her) were both raised on farms and chose to strike off on their own adventure. Together, they met the best friends of their lives, opened NBE Solutions, and had three children. In 1979, they settled in Gretna, Nebraska, and established roots. They were founding members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and engaged in the Gretna community. Bob was a member of Gretna’s Optimist Club, the Elkhorn Valley Tractor Club, National Office Machine Dealers, Omaha Executive Association, and American Legion Post 370 of Elk Creek. Bob and Vic loved to travel together, and their favorite vacations continue to be with friends and family in Winter Park, Colorado.

Bob and Vic were dedicated to their business, but even more dedicated to their family. Bob loved being a dad and taught his kids to hunt and fish, and a solid work ethic. Family time was important and so traveling to Winter Park, Colorado, three times a year to ski and spend time together became a tradition. Many friends often joined the Gobbers in Colorado where many good and funny memories were made. Bob was especially well known for making big breakfasts. Bob loved to ski and especially loved to ski with his kids and grandchildren. When it came to his grandchildren, time stood still. He never missed a chance to be involved in their active lives: hunting, soccer, golf, bike races, track, softball, cross-country skiing, motorcross, basketball, gymnastics, show choir, musicals and theatre.

Bob had a few hobbies that he enjoyed that benefited many of us. He became known amongst his friends and family for his beautifully framed prints. Vic would help him pick out the mats to cut and Bob would make the frame. When he put it all together, they were beautiful. He also was a fan of Case Tractors and spent many hours working on antique tractors, traveling to tractor pulls, and competing in tractor pulls with his son, Mike. Bob enjoyed helping his son, Tim build three different bike shop locations in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Together, they designed everything measuring once, cutting twice, and making multiple trips to the lumber store. Duct tape was always part of the strategy.

Although Bob and Vic chose to leave their farms as young adults, their connection to it and to Elk Creek is strong and was always in their hearts. In the late 1990’s, Bob and Vic were able to acquire a portion of Vicky’s family farm and “returned” home. Together they built a shouse (house and barn) and new family traditions evolved. The grandkids have fond memories on that land hunting and helping Papa with various projects.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vicky, and their three children; Mike of Syracuse, NE, Tim (Leigh Ann) of Gretna, and Christy (Karl) Gobber Smith of Laramie, WY; six grandchildren Elli (Wade) Knott, Sophie (Connor) Cameron, Tommi Gobber, Carsen Gobber, Clara Gobber, Tristan Smith; and 3 step grandchildren; Seraphina (Joe) Ranieri, Marci Leis, and Dayton Cronin. He is survived by his sister, Ilma Gottula of Tecumseh, NE, and sister-in-law Erma Gobber of Manhattan, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 Visitation Monday 9:00 – 10:00 AM at church with Funeral Service 10:00 AM Monday (12/30/24) at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 11204 S 204th St. Gretna. Graveside Service 2:00 PM at Mt. Hope Cemetery at Elk Creek, NE. Memorials to the family to be determined later.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Gretna Chapel 11710 Standing Stone - Gretna, NE - 402-332-0090 www.RoederMortuary.com

The service can be viewed on YouTube via the following link;

https://youtube.com/live/1sBYpwDQs8I?feature=share