Robert “Bob” Brockman, age 76 years old died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, October 27 in Wheatland. He was a beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend.
Robert was born in Grant, Nebraska on Friday, Dec. 2, 1949, to Ralph and Elvah Dare Busch Harmier Brockman. He was the oldest of four children, followed by Brian, Rita, and Keith “Maverick”. He was raised in Ogallala, Nebraska and graduated from Ogallala High. From high school he attended Chadron State College and ran up and down the road rodeoing. After a start in real estate in Fort Collins, Colorado he joined his dad and two brothers in Hanna where they ran a construction company and redi-mix. There, Bob served as mayor for the Town of Hanna.
Robert moved to Wheatland, in 1982 to manage the Flying X Ranch, establishing his home, raising his family, and creating lifelong friendships in Wheatland. In 1988, Keyhole Land Company, his real estate and appraisal business, was established and grew into the successful business it is today.
He was totally committed to his business and lifelong learning regardless of the topic. He was a successful businessman and a public servant, earning multiple accreditations and serving on several local, state, and national boards.
Among the many boards he served, he brought a wealth of knowledge and common sense while creating many friendships along the way. DSI, Diversified Services, Inc. was one of his first roles as a board member where he and several close friends governed the program for challenged individuals to live a productive life. To this day and taken with him, he treasures the people and opportunities he had with that program. With his inquisitive mind, and forward thinking, he also served on the National Rural Cooperative Financing Corporation board and was still in service on the Wheatland Rural Electric Association Board and Platte County Planning and Zoning Commission.
Although he had considerable success in his business ventures, family was of utmost importance to him and extends well beyond his blood relations. He was a doer and worked hard to provide opportunities for many. He loved his animals, following all his “boys” on the rodeo trail and spending time helping his friends and neighbors. He never met a stranger and usually left a trail of memories or smiles wherever he went, and the many memories will continue to bring smiles to many.
After taking care of everyone, he finally took time to check an item off his bucket list and received his pilot’s license for flying a helicopter. His love of aviation was part of his adventurous, curious nature as well as travel, roping, and hunting.
Robert is survived by his daughter, Brook and her husband J.T. Guest; son, Seth and wife Jalea and their boys Ivan and Ike, all residing in Wheatland; brother, Brian Brockman of Cheyenne; sister, Rita and her husband Tom Lubnau of Gillette; and their children and grandchildren. Survivors also include his extended family of Brockmans and Mannings and all of their families. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Elvah, and brother Keith (Maverick) Brockman.
Bob’s formative years in western Nebraska created a lifelong love of all things cowboy, ranching, and wide-open spaces. As his health became compromised, he only wished to ride his horse one more time and spend time with his grandchildren. He was all Cowboy and tough as Hell. He was hard working, did not tolerate fools and spoke his mind. Friends and family admired his work ethic, wisdom, and intelligence. He loved his family, community and his lifelong friends and will continue to watch over them from Heaven.
A celebration of Robert’s life was held on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wheatland.
Gorman Funeral Homes - Platte Chapel are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
