Robert Pontine

Hastings resident, Robert "Bob" Reuben Pontine, 76, went to be with the Lord Friday, October 2, 2015 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Celebration of Life Services will be Wednesday, October 7, 2015; 1:00 P.M. at Evangelical Free Church, 2015 N. St. Joseph, Hastings with Pastor Dale Phillips officiating. Expect stories, memories, tears, laughter and tall tails, all assured to make Bob proud. Burial with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be made to Start Over Rover. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 6, 2015; 1:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with family present 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the church.

The son of Reuben and Pearl E. (Johnson) Pontine, Bob was born on July 21, 1939, in Harvard, Nebraska. He graduated in 1957 and joined the United States Navy on July 30, 1958. Bob married Sue (Watson) on June 16, 1963 at Grace United Methodist Church in Hastings, Nebraska. To this union were born Shelley and Rod. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in July 1962 he worked at Hastings Industries until early 1967. He then began his own construction business building new homes. He retired from that in 1985. He operated his own snow removal business from 1962 until last winter. He also managed their rental properties. Bob's interests were numerous and varied: he spent many hours helping his son with his lawn care business and helping his daughter and her family on their acreage. He loved animals and wanted to share that with his grandchildren. He was a very gifted craftsman. He made many special items for his wife, children and friends. He was devoted to his family and loved having them in his home, traveling with them and attending their activities. He was especially known for his huge heart, caring spirit and generosity. Bob accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1982. He was baptized in the Jordan River on a 1983 missionary trip to Israel with his wife. He was a member of Evangelical Free Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, LaVonne (Howard) Mullen and Jean (Don) Runcie.

Left to carry on his legacy and memories are his wife, Sue Pontine, daughter, Shelley (Ken) Neemeyer, son, Rod (Sadi) Pontine, grandchildren Becca and Tyler Neemeyer, Sabrina and Riley Pontine, all of Hastings. Heart adopted daughters Mary Thibodeau, St Louis, MO, Donna Klein, Hastings, NE and son Wayne Little, Elizabethton, TN. Many others left to cherish Bob's memory are numerous special and loving relatives and friends.