Robert E. Beitel, age 72, of Mullen, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2018, at Bryan LGH East Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. MDT at the Lariat Auditorium in Mullen, with interment at Cedarview Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 28 at the Mullen Funeral Home from 3:00-7:30 p.m. with family greeting visitors from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Mullen Ambulance/EMT Service, Mullen Volunteer Fire Department, or donor’s choice.
Bob was born on January 7, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Clarence and Rose Beitel. He attended grade school at Victory Hill, a country school near their small family farm. He graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1964 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Wyoming in 1968. Bob later earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Chadron State College in 1983.
Bob married Nancy Meredith on August 6, 1972. The couple made their home in Mullen for their entire married life. They were blessed with two children, daughter Aimee in 1975, and son Mark in 1978.
Bob began his teaching career at Mullen High School in 1968. He immediately fell in love with the Sandhills and the people of Mullen, and served as an educator at MHS for 38 years, retiring in 2006. During those years, Bob filled important roles as a teacher, guidance counselor, track and basketball coach, referee, and bus driver. He was also the “Voice of the Broncos” for several decades, announcing Mullen home football games under the “Friday Night Lights” every season. Bob always felt it was a privilege to be a Mullen teacher. Each and every student enriched his life in some special way.
In retirement, Bob was still involved in education as a consultant with Education Quest Foundation, presenting financial aid programs to numerous schools in western Nebraska. He also felt very fortunate to be employed at Sand Hills Golf Club from 2006-2018. He loved everything about Sand Hills, from the golf course itself to his friendships with co-workers, members, and guests.
In recent years, Bob and Nancy spent time traveling to select places on their “bucket list.” Their last great adventure was a trip to Alaska just a short time before Bob passed away.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy; daughter Aimee (Bryan) Kampbell of Storm Lake, Iowa; son Mark (Lynette) Beitel of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Silvia and Heath Kampbell; mother-in-law Irene Meredith of Kearney, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Sonja Beitel of Sargent, Nebraska; Dana (John) Lang of Westport, Connecticut; Marcy (Bill) Stevens of Kearney; Susan (Christopher) Kaniut of Jacksonville, Florida; and Elizabeth (Brent) Engel of Hillsborough, North Carolina. He was also a special uncle to 14 nieces and nephews and a friend to many.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Rose Beitel of Scottsbluff, and his brother, Larry Beitel of Sargent.
