Robert Ray Cooper

Hastings resident, Robert Ray "Bob" Cooper, 74 passed away Friday, January 14, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial Health Care, Hastings, NE Services will be Friday, January 21, 2011, at 2 PM at the North Shore Assembly of God Church, Hastings, NE. Visitation will be Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 9 AM to 9 PM with the family present from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks Memorials be sent to North Shore Assembly of God Church; Camp Shriver Fund or Building Fund, 100 West 33rd Street , Hastings, Ne. 68901. *** Bob was born Aug. 28th, 1936 to Ray S. And Helen I. (Chapman) Cooper in Walthill Nebraska, and graduated Hastings High School in 1955. He retired from USAF as a TSGT with 21 years of service with deployments to California, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Keflavik Iceland, Lincoln Nebraska, Missouri, Mississippi, Torrejon AFB (Madrid) Spain, Offutt AFB Omaha Nebraska, and 31st Comm. Silver Creek Nebraska. During his career in the USAF Bob received many service recognitions including the Bronze Star. Bobs travels not only provide him with the opportunity to provide for his family, but also the opportunity to do Gods work. During his deployment to Vietnam, Bob & several other US Airmen volunteered their off duty time building dormitories and other buildings for the orphanage. As a father & Christian Man Bob saw a need and recruited the residents of Genoa Nebraska; who donated clothing to the orphans at Mang Lan Orphanage in Tuy Hoa City Vietnam. He returned home from Vietnam in 1970, and returned to the 31st Comm. In Silver Creek Nebraska where he retired from the USAF in May 1975. After retiring Bob worked as a School Bus Driver for Genoa Public Schools, automobile collision specialist, and Manager of the Bowling Alley in Genoa Nebraska from 1975 to 1978. In 1978 Bob became the West Coast Service Technician for Lindsay Zimmatic, while working for Lindsay Bob also had the opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, & China. In 1987 Bob & Shirley relocated to Bakersfield Ca. Where Bob went to work for SA Camp Irrigation as a Service Technician. Bob & Shirley returned to Hastings in 1991, where Bob worked as a Manager for Crescent Electric Supply until he retired in 2002. Bob & Shirley loved to spend time with family, his extended Church family, and friends. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, bowler, camper, Civil Air Patrol Airman, Gymnast, Roller Skate Dancer, Boy Scout, Boy Scout Leader, & Girl Scout Leader. Bob was a member of North Shore Assembly of God Church in Hastings Ne. He was Past Commander of American Legion Post 144 Genoa Ne., Past President of the Genoa Lions Club, Past Cubmaster Pack 224 Genoa Ne., Hasting Area Man of Promise (Promise Keeper), Past NSAG Trustee, and Past Eagles Camper Club Wagonmaster. Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years Shirley, and his loving children Sally White and husband Henry and Renee Gaedeke, all of Hastings Ne. Phillip Cooper and wife Jill of Lancaster Ca., And Henry Chung of Hong Kong, China, eight grandchildren Amanda, Jennifer, and Robert Gaedeke, Rebecca Bruns & husband Matt, Jasen White and Alison all of Hastings Ne., Nicholas & Amy Keiser, Kylie Cooper and Josh of Lancaster Ca., 9 great grandchildren Piper, Cooper, Brandon, Jackson, Angel, Xander, Lex, Abigail and Payton, sister Shirlene Brown and husband Don, sister Patricia Wills and husband Bob,sister, Sandy Maw and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Mace and hundreds of loving nieces and nephews, family, and friends around the world. Bob was preceded in death, by his parents Ray & Helen Cooper, Helen & Harold Ochsner / Harold Kent), and brother in laws Kent D. Mace, and Doug Maw.