Robert “Bob” Beat, faithfully finished the course of his life on July 10, 2024, at CHI Good Samaritan Health System in Kearney, Nebraska, at the age of 74.
When the world welcomed Robert David Beat, it bound his heart to his hometown with an unbreakable cord of faithfulness. “Bobby” became part of Bill and Phyllis Beat’s growing family on May 4, 1950. Apart from his time in college, he lived in and for Burwell, Nebraska, the community in which he was born.
Bob gave his heart fully to whatever he allowed to capture it. He spent endless boyhood hours at the Burwell Park nurturing his early love: fishing. He delighted to share what he loved with those he loved. We will probably never know the number of fishing lures he gifted to friends or fishing rods and reels he repaired.
Nature thrilled Bob. Countless hours outdoors molded him into a keen observer of the weather. Even to his final days, he kept detailed weather records, comparing local rain tallies with his friends.
After graduating from Burwell High School in 1968, Bob stayed close to home for college. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Hastings College in 1972. He immediately returned to Burwell and began work in construction.
In 1973, a new Burwell resident caught Bob’s eye. Marg Loseke arrived in town as her brother-in-law Dr. Richard Pedersen’s dental assistant, agreeing to two years on his staff. Bob talked her into a longer stay, convincing her to join him in planting roots in Burwell. And a new love took first place in Bob’s affections, giving him a partner with whom to share his other passions–or at least try to. They celebrated 50 faithful years of marriage and service to the community last year.
Two daughters wrapped Bob around their little fingers. Because he loved them so much, he did his best to raise Jodi and Bobbi to be good fisherwomen, but they often preferred to dig into the snacks brought along for each fishing trip. No matter how far away his girls moved, Bob faithfully worked at strengthening ties of love. He sent texts and emails to Lincoln, India, and Idaho sharing snowfall amounts and photos of cicada killers and flowers and rabbit tracks.
Son-in-law, Nelson sparked an increase in Bob’s shopping for fishing gear as he had another angler to outfit. Granddaughter, Esther completely won Grandpa’s heart. He set aside the fishing gear long enough to allow her to paint his lips with pretend lipstick. But he made sure to supply her with her first fishing rod, adorned with Disney princesses.
Bob served his community for 41 years, 31 of those as City Administrator. He loved his co-workers. Throughout his retirement, he requested their help on various projects, probably often as an excuse simply to spend time with them.
Time could not diminish Bob’s love for the people and activities he enjoyed. He remained faithful to his friends for life. Several of the men he chose to honor as pallbearers he counted among his boyhood friends.
Health challenges set the stage for the greatest display of Bob’s faithfulness. Even when simply getting out of bed posed a pain-filled struggle, he rose before the sun and made the trek to Kearney for dialysis three days a week. He picked up coffee and drove to his beloved Burwell Park on his off days, savoring the beauty he was so quick to find there.
Bob entrusts a legacy of faithfulness to his wife, Marg of Burwell, Nebraska; his two daughters, Jodi and Nelson Jamir of Moscow, Idaho and Bobbi Beat of Lincoln, Nebraska; his granddaughter, Esther Jamir; his two sisters, Tabby and Dr. Bob Proffitt of Grand Island, Nebraska and Lorraine and Gary Feind of Kearney, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Phyllis Beat.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Burwell. Pastor Alan Petersen will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell. Memorials are suggested to the Sandy Psota Field of Memories. Still Waters Funeral Parlor is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com
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