Robert 'Bob' Donald Wacker

Robert Donald Wacker, age 94, passed away on Tuesday evening, July 7, 2020 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was born October 27, 1925 to Margaret (Olmsted) Wacker and Fred Wacker, Sr. in Culbertson, Nebraska. Bob attended school in Culbertson where he was active in all sports and music. He enjoyed competing on the Culbertson Bears state ranked football and basketball teams, talking often about his teammates and their successes during those years. He also played saxophone in the marching band. This meant that during football season, he would play both sides of the ball during the first half, march in the band during half-time, then play both sides of the ball during the second half. Bob graduated in 1944, earning a Regents Scholarship to the University of Nebraska. However, World War Two interrupted his college plans. He had already enlisted in the Army Air Corps during his junior year in high school. He reported for duty immediately after graduation. In 1943 while still a junior in high school, Bob, along with his father, Fred Wacker, Sr., his brother, Fred Wacker, Jr., and Harold Elliott, established the Wacker-Elliott-Wacker company. In the ensuing years the business grew to include cattle feedlots, several sale barns, a trucking firm, ranching and farming interests, Rite-Mix Milling Company, and several lumber and supply yards. Bobs business acumen was evident from his youth when at 10 years of age he and his brother, Freddie began selling ice during the summer that they had cut and stored during the winter. He and Freddie also adopted orphan pigs and that time and would collect them and raise them until the pigs were ready for market. Then Bob and Freddie would haul them to market. They were truckers at the ages of 11 and 12. In 1946 Bob married Bonnie Eileen Smith in Trenton, NE. They lived in McCook from 1947 until 2020. Bob and Bonnie raised their three children, Barbara, Scott, and Mark in McCook and because of them, Bob and Bonnie together became McCook Bison Fans. They loved McCook. Bob was a member of the McCook Fraternal Order of Elks and the McCook Heritage Golf Club. He loved golf, playing well into his eighties. He also enjoyed playing bridge, pitch, and especially scat with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. He was never one to let them winthey had to earn it! He and Bonnie made life-long friendships in McCook, Culbertson, and Trenton. After retiring from WEW, Bob and Bonnie wintered in Tucson, Arizona. For 15 years. This was a special time for them, enjoying the Arizona winter sun, plenty of golf and bridge, trips to Mexico and entertaining family and friends from NE. When they returned to McCook to live year round, they enjoyed noon meals with old friends at the Heritage Senior Center and lots of time spent with family. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents, Fred and Margaret Wacker; son, R. Scott Wacker; great-granddaughter, Lucia Wacker; and two brothers: Fred Jr. and Michael Wacker. Bob is survived by his daughter, Barb and husband, Larry Hoff of Central City; son, Mark and wife, Monica Wacker of McCook; daughter-in-law, Sue Wacker of McCook; 7 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Doris Wacker of Rogers, Arkansas. A private family service will take place at a future date with inurnment in the Stone Cemetery at Culbertson. Military Honors will be conducted at the graveside. Memorials may be left in Bobs name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel. Friends many leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.