Robert W. (Bob) Blackman

Robert Walter Blackman, known as Bob to friends and family, was born April 25, 1936, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Herschel and Dorothy (Wilkinson) Blackman. Bob passed away on December 31, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, David, and his parents. He is survived by his wife Kathleen A. Hull Blackman, son Mark (Saowanee) Blackman, and grandchildren Chonlatorn and Thanakorn, brother-in-law Thomas (Julie) Hull. Nieces and nephews: Michael and Alisha Hull, Angela (Grant) Boyer, and Sarah (Michael) Halstead.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964.

Bob had a lifelong love of cars and could often be found at car shows proudly showing off his treasured 1987 maroon metallic T-top Corvette. Around 2001, he discovered another passion: motorcycles. He especially enjoyed riding his special-ordered 2001 Dyna Super Glide Harley-Davidson through the country roads of Nebraska. In the early days of this passion, Bob and a close group of friends would ride together, making frequent stops along the way to eat pie and drink coffee, moments he truly cherished.

Bob also enjoyed golfing and played in a couples league with his wife, Kathy. He loved the camaraderie of the game and the time spent with others, which often continued long after the final hole with shared dinner and drinks.

He was an avid Formula One racing fan and rarely missed a race. Above all, Bob had a deep and compassionate heart for animals, dedicating a significant portion of his time and energy to rescuing dogs, especially retired racing greyhounds, whom he held in special affection. Bob also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, rabbits, and squirrels in his backyard, even in the summer when food is readily available, just in case they couldn’t find food.

Bob and Kathy enjoyed traveling: On ocean cruises, U.S. and European bus trip tours. Some trips included ocean cruises, going on U.S. and European bus tours, and visiting France to connect with their lifelong friends who live there. They also were fond of traveling together with their three greyhounds in their Winnebago during the summer months and visiting family in Michigan and Wisconsin. Bob also enjoyed visiting the locks in different states, especially the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Bob has shared a lot of love with his many dogs over the years, and it is a heartwarming thought that they will all be waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge.

Bob spoke frequently about his upcoming 90th birthday and looked forward to this milestone with much anticipation.

A celebration of Bob’s life, held in honor of what would have been his 90th birthday, will take place on April 25, 2026.

Location and additional details will be announced at a later date.

If you would like to provide donations, please support your favorite humane society or pet rescue to help them in their mission of finding forever homes for animals..

Rainbow Bridge Poem:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly, he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you Cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Author unknown...

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