Robert Lloyd ‘Bob’ Spady, 71, of North Platte, NE, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Bob was born January 30, 1944, to Fred and Mabel Denton Spady at Hastings, NE where he grew up. By the age of 14, Bob began working at his father’s car dealership thus beginning his love for cars. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1962 and continued working at Fred Spady Motors as Parts Manager. In 1967 Bob went to work for his brother at Jerry Spady Pontiac Cadillac GMC in Hastings as General Manager. He purchased Rich Watson Buick Pontiac GMC in North Platte in 1989 and had owned it ever since.
On July 31, 1965, Bob married Caroline Catherine ‘Candy’ Spotanski in Grand Island, NE and made their home in Hastings. Along with his business, Bob’s passions were his boats and his classic cars, the louder and faster the better.
Bob was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was actively involved in the North Platte community, serving on various boards in different positions. He was past president and a current member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, NEBRASKAland Days past president and board member, North Platte Chamber of Commerce/DEVCO past Board of Directors, Nebraska Motor Vehicle Licensing Board, past president and board member for the North Platte Ambassadors, and a Miss Nebraska Pageant sponsor. Bob was a member of the North Platte New Car Dealers and Nebraska New Car Dealers Association.
Bob was a life member of Tri City Street Rods and belonged to several other clubs which included the University of Nebraska Wheel Club, the North Platte Noon Rotary Club, Chamber Ambassadors, and was a member of numerous other organizations. In 2008 Bob received the Time Life Magazine Automobile Dealer of the Year Award for Nebraska and was a Paul Harris Award Winner.
He is survived by his wife, Candy, and their daughters, Gretchen (Joe) Swift and Rachel Spady, all of North Platte; two grandchildren, Jacob and Gabriella Swift; two sisters, Marlene Skeen, of Lakewood, CO and Pam Castleberry, of Lakehead, CA; brothers, Jerry and Paul Spady, both of Florida, Vic (Sharon) Spady, of Hastings, and Rick (Patti) Spady, of Beatrice, NE; and many nieces, nephews and other family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mabel; and a niece, Samantha Spady.
Cremation was chosen. A Christian Wake Service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Celebrant Father Jim Novakowski. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Catholic School Endowment Fund or the Miss Nebraska Scholarship Fund in Bob’s name. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.
