Robert W. Hock

Celebration of Life Services for Robert W. Hock will be held at the Hope Lutheran Church in rural Smithfield, Nebraska on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Glendening officiating.  Inurnment will be held in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Gosper County with military honors provided by the Bertrand Veterans Organization in conjunction with the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Robert William Hock, 93 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of rural Smithfield) passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Robert was born September 17, 1922 on the family farm southeast of Smithfield, the eldest of two children born to William Peter and Tressie (Schroeder) Hock.  Bob was baptized and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church.  He received his primary education from District #20 southeast of Smithfield in Gosper County, Nebraska.  Bob then continued his education at the Smithfield Public School and later graduated from Bertrand High School with the class of 1939.  He then pursued higher education at Success Business College in Denver, Colorado, graduating in 1942.

Bob was inducted into the United States Navy on July 1, 1943 and served his country during WW II.  During his time in the Navy, he received Mid-Shipment Training, which included training and education.  First at UNL for a year, then the University of Minnesota and then he had additional training at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Bob was commissioned as an Officer in the Navy.

While in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Norma Elizabeth Turner on October 27, 1944.  To this union two children born:  Ronald Robert and Cynthia Faye.  His last stint of education was at Columbia University in New York City prior to his honorable discharge on February 4, 1946.

Following his service, Bob returned home to Gosper County, where he engaged in farming with his father.  Farming was his passion and a career that lasted until his retirement from active farming in 2001.  During those years, Bob also sold seed corn with Golden Harvest until 2004 at which time he turned the seed corn business over to his grandson, Joe.

In his spare time, Bob was an avid reader and enjoyed photography. Bob was a dedicated 4-H leader of the Hi-Line Hustlers and served on many boards.  He also had a special love for animals and enjoyed raising them, especially cattle. He was also a member of the Hope Lutheran Church, where he served in several capacities.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Ronald Robert Hock in 2007, granddaughter, Andrea Lane Wendell, sister-in-law, Verna Swanson and brothers-in-law:  John Gear, Vern Jackson and Harlan Lilyhorn.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 71 years, Norma Hock of Holdrege; daughter, Cinde Wendell and her husband, Monte of Johnson Lake, Nebraska; four grandchildren:  Greg Hock and his wife, Pilar and Gina Jones all of Henderson, Nevada; Jill Lavene and her husband, Justin of Lincoln, Nebraska and Joe Wendell and his wife, Hannah of rural Smithfield; nine great-grandchildren:  Kaitlin and Katherine Hock, Brianna and Stephanie Jones, Ava, Carter and Grant Lavene, and Dylan and Ashlyn Wendell; sister, Lorraine Gear of San Luis Obispo, California; brother-in-law, Donald Swanson of Holdrege; sister-in-law, Mary Louise Lilyhorn of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Bob's honor and kindly suggested to Hope Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.