Robert "Bob, Buck, Goob" Whaley

Robert C. “Bob, Buck or Goob” Whaley, 77 years and 364 days, of Grand Island passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2018 after a short battle with cancer. Service and celebration of Bob’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Messiah Lutheran Church, 112 W. 7th, Grand Island. Burial will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy and the United Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Bob was born August 26, 1940 in Kearney, the son of Guy and Laura (Elliot) Whaley. He attended school in Kearney, Elwood, and Payette, Idaho before moving back to Ravenna to live with his older sister and her family, where he graduated from high school, class of 1959. In April of 1962, Bob entered the United States Navy. He served on the USS Abbot and was in the Cuban blockade. The ship was decommissioned April of 1965 when Bob was honorably discharged. On September 3, 1966, Bob married Peggy Garner in Rockville, NE. He went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in 1966 and was in the Grand Island Maintenance of Way shop until his retirement in 1995. Bob coached softball for many years for the Northwest Softball League. He was a member of the Conestoga Barbershop Group for several years and enjoyed the afternoons spent with his many coffee group friends. He loved to work on old cars and also enjoyed gardening and taking care of his beautiful lawn. Bob loved to travel, which they did when his girls were younger. Also, following retirement he and Peg traveled to visit friends in Las Vegas and attend his ship reunions on the east coast. He loved to go on vacation with his family and attended all of his grandchildren’s concerts, competitions and sports activities. Those left to cherish Bob’s memory include his wife, Peg; three wonderful daughters, Jennifer (Jon) Stromer of Grand Island, Kristy (Scott) Fangmeier of Hebron, and Becky (Kevin) Shoemaker of Hastings; beloved grandchildren, Jadyn, Hannah, Brayden, Shayli, Gabe, Peyton, Kalib and Calie; sister, Marge Carmen of Imperial; brother, Joe Whaley of Downy, CA; sister-in-law, Sandy Czaplewski; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Doug and infant sister; brothers and sisters-in-law, Franklin, Ed (Vonita), Hobe (Darlene), Dee (Willa), Harry and Dave; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy (Emil) Harris; brothers-in-law, Marlin Carmen and Tom Czaplewski; and niece, Sandra Whaley. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha.

Robert "Bob, Buck, Goob" Whaley

August 26, 1940 - August 25, 2018

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Robert "Bob, Buck, Goob" Whaley

August 26, 1940 - August 25, 2018

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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