Robert Lee Killham, 86, of North Platte, passed away Feb. 9, 2017 at North Platte Care Center. Bob was born June 6, 1930 to Guy Sr. and Ellen (Anderson) Killham in North Platte. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and North Platte Senior High School. After high school, he moved to California, where he was employed by Armour Company. During this period of time, Bob met Bettye Scarborough and after a few months of courtship, they were married. To this union, two children were born, Rickey and Karen Killham. Bob and Bettye were later divorced. When Rickey was 42 years old, he was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in Colorado.
Bob returned to North Platte in 1967 and established his own company, C&S Construction. His business involved installation of siding, gutters, and painting of new and older homes in North Platte and surrounding areas. It was a known fact that Bob did very little advertising since it was mostly by “word of mouth”, coming from satisfied customers that kept his business thriving for many years.
Service work was very important to Bob. He was presented with the “Golden Hammer” award by the Habitat for Humanity for his contribution of materials and labor. For approximately 30 years, Bob was an active member of the North Platte Elks Lodge #985. He worked on many projects and activities in which the Elks’ members were involved. He was instrumental in the planning and collecting of donations to purchase the Flags of the States (and a few foreign countries), which he then helped install. These flags, to this day, still line the main entrance into Cody Park. He was one of the Elks’ members who traveled to England to accept the bronze statue of Buffalo Bill that was sculptured and donated by Brian Mickelberg of England. This bronze statue is also standing at the entrance of Cody Park. As a member of the Elks, Bob was elected as the “Leading Elk” in 1999 and held this title for five years.
Bob always had an intense interest and love for the history of the life of Buffalo Bill Cody. Consequently, he was most knowledgeable about Buffalo Bill. He could tell many interesting stories or answer any questions on the subject. Bob authored and had printed hundreds of pamphlets with the Buffalo Bill attractions North Platte had to offer, and then drove to various states to distribute these pamphlets. This was done in an effort to promote and make known the popularity of Buffalo Bill and Cody Park in North Platte.
With his love for Cody Park, Bob always had in mind what improvements could be and should be done to make the park more usable and enjoyable for the youth and their parents. His one dream and goal was to see that the Youth Cabin was rebuilt. He received his first scouting award there, and his grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party at the same Youth Cabin. Bob raised $80,000 worth of volunteer labor and promised materials towards this goal, but the project was never approved.
Bob joined the Roman Catholic Church and received the Sacrament of Baptism. He was a member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Bob had a great enthusiasm for life. For fun and enjoyment, he would go hunting with longtime friends. When evening came, he rarely missed any dances in the area, even attending two or three dances in a week. He was considered one of the best dancers on the floor. When the time came that Bob retired in December 2015, due to declining health and could no longer dance, he would still go “just to sit and enjoy listening to the great country western dance music”.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; son, Rickey; brothers, Roger, Danny, Gene, Guy, and Jerry; sisters, Audrey, Dorothy, and Carol; and a special friend for many years, Madeline Fought.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen Killham of North Platte; four grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Leona Killham of North Platte; nieces, Mary Ann Broderson Sweeney of Amarillo, TX, Jackie Broderson of San Diego, CA, Barbara Reed of Lewellen, Carole Heindel of Colorado Springs, CO, Betty Tatman of North Platte, Rhonda Gerdes of Gretna, Pam Muse of AZ, Sandy Bessler of Imperial, NE and Judy Adams of Colorado Springs, CO; nephews, Elmer Hosford of Denver, CO and Ronald Killham of Columbia, MO.
Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1785, North Platte, NE 69103 or donor’s choice.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. C.P. Varghese as celebrant. Visitation will be from 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2017, with the Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.