Robert G Nickles

Robert (Bob) G. Nickles age 86 of Plattsmouth, Nebraska was born December 16, 1930 in Mynard, Nebraska  to Donald and Annis (Elsworth) Nickels.  He passed away July 18, 2017 at his home in Plattsmouth, NE.  Bob was a Nebraska boy, born and raised. He grew up helping his parents work on the farm and attended a one-room country school.  The family moved to town and Bob went to school at Plattsmouth High School.  Being a small town boy, he liked hanging out with his friends and, on occasion, they could be found having fun and getting into some harmless trouble. Nice cars, convertibles, and motorcycles soon caught his eye, and throughout his life, he owned several.   Bob served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and would send letters home with photographs of the airplanes he flew in.  When his service was over, he returned to Plattsmouth.  He was the second person hired at Allied Chemical after construction, and continued as a chemical board operator for over forty years before retiring.  Family was important to Bob as he raised his five children and took care of his parents in their later years.  As a parent, he was solid and steadfast, setting a fine example of responsibility and work ethic. He could be counted on for sound advice and old-school common sense. He was ready with support and words of encouragement when needed, but also didn’t hesitate to call out bad behavior and poor judgment. Bob served as his son’s baseball coach and a Boy Scout leader for Troop 399. He enjoyed spending his vacations taking his family on camping trips and teaching his kids, and later, his grandkids, to fish.  Fishing was, by far, Bob’s favorite pastime. Talking about fishing, watching fishing programs, buying fishing tackle, fishing from a bank or fishing from a boat, it didn’t matter, Bob enjoyed it all. For over forty years, he took trips with his buddies and family members to a favorite spot on the Winnipeg River in Ontario. When he wasn’t fishing, he could be found cheering on Husker football and volleyball, or catching a Green Bay Packers game. If prompted, Bob would tell the stories of his life and enjoyed having a good laugh at some of the memories. He will be remembered as a straight forward guy who enjoyed his family, his friends, and the simple things in life.  Robert married Wanda Isaacs Oct. 10, 1953 in Louisville, NE, and together had 4 children Bobie, Terry, Donald (Buck) and Kim.  Bob and Wanda divorced after 8 years.  Later, Bob and longtime girlfriend, Dee Scarlett, had a daughter, Dawn.  He later reconnected with his childhood sweetheart, Florene (Duda) Smith and the two were later married on Oct. 14, 2006 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Plattsmouth.      Bob is survived by his wife: Florene Nickles of Plattsmouth, NE children: Bobie (Robert) Touchstone of Plattsmouth, NE; Kim (Bob) Swank of Phoenix, AZ; Dawn (Dan) Hatcher of Columbus, NE; Terry Nickels of Plattsmouth, NE; Don (Buck) Nickels of Plattsmouth, NE; step-daughters:   Dian (Doug) Cheney of Adams, NE Joan (Ryan) Hogancamp of Lincoln, NE; adopted daughter:  Patricia Scarlett of Plattsmouth, NE; 17 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren, Sister:  Judy (Stewart) Haneline of Omaha, NE; sisters-in-law:  Shirley Brugman of Port Arthur, TX and Judy (Bob) Sparks of Omaha, NE  He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Annis Nickels; daughter-in-law Deb Nickels  Visitation for Bob will be Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Harvey Funeral Home from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Harvey Funeral Home Chapel, Plattsmouth, NE with Dr. Allen Wooters officiating.    The family suggests memorials to Nebraska Game and Parks Department.   Online condolences to www.bpharveyfuneralhome.com