Robert Dean Gaston, age 82, longtime Ogallala resident, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Sutherland Care Center in Sutherland, Nebraska. He was born November 2, 1929 at Ogallala, Nebraska the first born son of Dr. K.L. and Gayle Gaston. On September 9, 1951 he married Kathryn A. Hagge at Ogallala. The couple were lifelong residents of Ogallala, graduating with the Class of 1948. He joined the United States Navy in August of 1950 and was a Teleman 3^rd Class in the Communications Branch serving aboard the US Lake Champlain. He saw action in Korean waters operating with the Carrier Task Force 77 delivering daily air strikes against the communists. He saw duty in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Sea of Japan and China Sea. He was on the ship when it became the largest ship to transit the Suez Canal. During his career he worked for Wright Engineering and Supply Company in Denver, Colorado as a Production Manager, for Goodall Manufacturing and Chab Furniture. He also served as Chamber of Commerce Manager for the communities of Ogallala, Alliance, Roswell and Artesia, New Mexico. In 1971 he moved his family back to Ogallala where he was employed at Union 76 as a night manager, Ogallala Electronics, TRW and American Shizuki. He retired in 1994. He was a member of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational Church, the Ogallala Elks Lodge, VFW and American Legion. He served as the Director of the Ogallala Golf Association and was the president of the association for one year. He served on the Ogallala Fire and Rescue Squad and was a member of the first Dive Team. Among his hobbies were golf, hunting, fishing, Husker Football and sports, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include:

His children,

Vicky and John Chada of Grand Island, NE

Shelly and David Olson of Ogallala,NE

Lori and Bill Holmstedt of Paxton,NE

Mark and Leah Gaston of Omaha, NE

Grandchildren,

Wendie and Kenny Miller of Topeka, KS

Mike and Shannon Chada of Lincoln, NE

Melissa and Lincoln Wagner of Kearney, NE

Lesley and Mikel Clark of Kearney, NE

Dan and Natalie Holmstedt of Omaha, NE

Ben and Tawna Holmstedt of Ogallala, NE

Aaron Holmstedt of Paxton, NE

Sam, Sarah and Annie Gaston of Omaha, NE

Great Grandchildren,

Landan and Tenley Wagner of Kearney, NE

Hadley, Brooks and Easton Clark of Kearney, NE

Grace and Maggie Holmstedt of Omaha, NE

Paisley Holmstedt of Ogallala, NE

Brother and Sister in law, Jim and Jean Gaston of Denver, CO

Brother in law and sister law, Kenneth and Dorothy Hagge of Ogallala, NE

Sister in law, Vannie Hoover of Ogallala, NE

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. K.L. and Gayle Gason, in laws, Henry and Mary Hagge, sister and brother in law, Karen and Bill Swanson, and a brother in law, Robert Hagge.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 7^th at the United Church of Christ, First Congregational Church with Pastor Lauran Heidenreich officiating. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery with Military Honors rendered by the Keith County Veteran’s Organizations. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the Gubser Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Sutherland Care Center in his memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.