Robert James

Robert Lee James was born April 2, 1931 in a box car in Gillette, Wyoming to Gerald Charles and Mabel Marie (Thompson) James. He passed away September 18, 2018 at his home northeast of Bloomington on his own terms with dignity and stoicism.

The second of six children, “Bob” was educated in the Campbell County School system, graduating in 1949. He was inducted into the United States Army on February 5, 1952 and saw combat in Korea, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on November 13, 1952 along the 38th parallel. Upon his honorable discharge in November of 1953 as a Sargent First Class, Bob returned to Nebraska where his parents lived.

Bob and Myra Ann Janssen were married December 26, 1956 in Buhl, Idaho. This union was blessed with four children, Deanna, Charles, John and Robert G. Bob attended Kearney State College, graduating in 30 months; later he received a Master’s Degree in European History from the University of Wyoming; beginning his teaching career in 1957, he taught until 1993. Ever the scholar, Bob continued his historical studies well into his eighty-seventh year.

Bob was preceded in death by his daughter, Deanna; grandson, Nathan James; parents, Gerald and Mabel James; father and mother in law, John and Mary Janssen and a brother, Richard James. Survivors include his wife Myra of Bloomington, NE; sons, Chuck (Deb) James of Naponee, NE; John (Marlea) James of Belleville, KS; and Bobby (Kayla) James of Kearney, NE; grandsons, Ian (Christine) James of Bloomington, NE; Parker James and Nick James of Kearney, NE; granddaughter, Rachel James of Franklin, NE; great-grandsons, Alden, Everett and Ira James of Bloomington, NE; sisters, Geraldine James and Alma (Amy) Smith of Franklin, NE; brothers, Kenneth James of Riverton, NE and Thomas James of Maricopa, AZ. Bob is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews along with hundreds of his students to whom he was dedicated.

Private Family Services will be held.