Entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 14, 2017 in Fremont.
Robert was born December 23, 1921 to Harvey and Burnetta Holbrook at the farm home near Page, NE. in Holt County, he grew up near Orchard, NE. in Antelope County. He attended the rural school there and graduated from Orchard High School in 1940. Following graduation he entered York College. After two years, he entered the U.S. Army, serving his country until January 1946 with assignment to the 89th Coast Artillery, part of the Eastern Defense Command. He was later assigned to the 1254 Combat Engineers, serving in the European theater. Following his discharge from the Army he returned to York College and graduated in 1947. Robert then entered United Seminary in Dayton, OH. After seminary graduation in 1950, Robert was ordained in the NE Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1968, when the EUB Church merged with the Methodist Church, he became a member of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church. Churches served include Elba-Cotesfield, Hoskins, Scotia-Ord, Dubois-Pleasant Valley-St. John's, Lincoln Heights-Pleasant Dale, Ainsworth-Johnstown, York-Benedict, Stromsburg-Swede Plain, Gothenburg (Branburg Parish), and Lyons. Robert retired in 1987, but served as Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol for 16 years and was on the Board of Nebraska Methodist Camps.
On February 24, 1944, he was joined in marriage to Eloise Tabor, in Chicago, IL. They were blessed with five children. They later divorced. On July 16, 1975, he married Pearl Leu of Stromsburg, NE. He readily accepted Pearl's four children and considered them part of his family.
Robert was a member of American Legion Post #20, Fremont Masonic Lodge #15 A.F & A.M., and was past president of the Golden "K" Kiwanis. He was a member of the Nebraska Wing Civil Air Patrol Squadron for 32 years, retiring in 1987 at the rank of Lt. Colonel. At the Civil Air Patrol National Convention in Washington D.C., Robert was named National Chaplain of the Year. More recently, he became a member of the Welstead Camp 3 of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
His interests included woodworking, ham radio operation, singing with Fremont's Pathfinder Barbershop Chorus, motorcycle riding, enjoying the skies as a private pilot, and spending time with his family at his cabin near Estes Park, CO. Above all was his unfailing love and support for his wife of 41 years and all of their children and extended family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers Elmond and Harvey, Jr., an infant daughter, Elizabeth, and one grandson, Anthony. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Pearl, sister Helen (Morris) Weaver of Tigard, OR, children Dr. Gerald Holbrook (Gary Freire) of Ft. Collins, CO., Jeanne Skybrook of Novato, CA., Barbara Muenchau of Hot Springs, SD., Andrew (Lynn) Holbrook of Ft. Collins, CO., and Patricia (Dan) Terpstra of Lincoln, NE., step-children, Linda (James) Christensen of Dennison, IA., Vickie Leu of Fremont, Peggy (Howard) Speck of Omaha and Robert (Stacy) Leu Sr. of Fremont. 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is Wednesday from 3pm to 7:30pm with the family present 6pm to 7:30. A masonic service, open to the public, will be 7:30pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel, conducted by the Fremont Masonic Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M.
The funeral service will be 10:30am Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Fremont. Rev. Michael McGregor will officiate. Burial will follow with military honors by the Fremont Honor Guard, in Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(9)
Diane Giese
Amarillo, TX Monday, February 27, 2017 I just noticed this obituary. Rev. Holbrook married Rick and I on June 5, 1971 at the East Ave. United Methodist Church. Thank you for your faithful service!Doug and Pat Friedli
Nebraska City, NE Tuesday, January 31, 2017 Our deepest condolences to Pearl and her family. We have fond memories of Rev. Holbrook and Pearl when they served the United Methodist Church in Lyons, NE.Rosalie Franke and Judy Franke Rippy
Fremont, NE Friday, January 20, 2017 Our deepest sympathy to the family of Robert Holbrook. We enjoyed visiting with him. Our prayers are with you at this time.Ron & Laura Croom
Omaha, NE Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Bob was a good man and colleague. Our prayers are with all his family.Ron Roemmich
Omaha, NE Wednesday, January 18, 2017 I served Bassett-Newport when Bob was at Ainsworth. Bob invited me onto his camp staff for a week at Comeca. We went down on Saturday with the intention to fly back for Sunday services. It was very foggy and Bob waited until we couldn't leave any later. I'm convinced we could have reached down and touched the cows grazing in the pastures. Not a good feeling for a first time passenger, which I was! I enjoyed my time when Bob and I were located close together. My sympathies to the family as they celebrate his life and homecoming. RonRev. Kelly Karges
Grand Island, NE Tuesday, January 17, 2017 My thoughts & prayers are with the Holbrook family.Bill and Evonne Williams
Omaha, NE Tuesday, January 17, 2017 We were honored to take Rev. Holbrook on the Heartland Honor Flight to D.C.Evonne and I are very sorry for your loss.
Larry & Cynthia David
Stromsburg, NE Sunday, January 15, 2017 Cynthia and I have such good memories of our short time with Bob and Pearl as Pastor here at Stromsburg United Methodist Church. He Baptized our son Chad and Cynthia together when Chad was a baby and helped us through some hard times as Chad was born with a rare heart defect. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pearl and family at this time,Love the David'sJoan Holt
Georgetown, KY Saturday, January 14, 2017 Pearl, sending my sympathy and prayers to you. I know this has been a struggle the last few months. I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you.Joan Holt from the dentist office.