Robert Lee Lynch of Jacksonville, Florida passed away May 15, 2015 at the age of 77. Bobby was born in Auburn, Nebraska April 5, 1938 to Robert and Irene Lynch and spent his early years living on the Ab Armstrong family farm east of there. The family moved to North Platte after World War II where Bobby grew up and graduated from NPHS in 1957.
Bobby lettered in football, basketball, and track in Junior High and High School. Upon graduation, he was offered a college football opportunity in Arizona but he turned it down to join the Navy. He continued playing football in semi-pro leagues while he attended submarine training and served from 1957-1960.
Bobby returned to North Platte on military leave and married his high school sweetheart Marilyn J. Faimon June 18, 1960. They started their lives in Key West, Florida where he served as a Torpedoman on the diesel submarine U.S.S. Picuda (382). After Navy service, Bobby and Marilyn lived in Omaha and Denver before settling in North Platte in 1966 where they raised their three children.
Bobby worked as a licensed electrician for the UPRR for 24 years retiring in 1990. He also owned and operated a small business in North Platte for over 15 years – Lynch’s Electrical Services – “Your Shorts are Our Business”. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends camping at Lake Maloney and hunting and fishing in the sandhills and canyons around the Lincoln County, Nebraska area. In January 1980, as he tried to assist a fellow UPPR employee with a flat tire, Bobby was crushed by a maintenance truck. He survived severe injuries any lesser man would not have.
Another memory the family frequently shared was about a canoe trip Bobby took with his sons Mike and Tony during the fall of 1976 on the Dismal River. Early snowfall and fences impeded progress. He carried the canoe while the boys carried the backpacks cross country to a county road near Seneca. Bobby set up the tent and built a fire while the boys marked out SOS with cowpies and foot-stomping in the snow. The next day the camp was spotted by a Sheriff’s plane sent to find them. A small article later appeared in a local paper about a sighting of Big Foot in the area and the family often wondered if it was actually Bobby.
After his retirement from the UPRR, Bobby and Marilyn moved to Jacksonville, Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He continued to work as a construction electrician until his full retirement in 2001. During retirement, Bobby enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tending his fish and feeding the animals around his koi pond, traveling back to see family and friends in Nebraska, and enjoying life with his soulmate Marilyn. He also took pride in continuing the century long ownership and operation of the Armstrong farm where he spent his youth. Family and friends remember Bobby as a gentle giant who always put the needs of others first and would give the shirt off his back to those less fortunate. He especially enjoyed making and sharing his spaghetti dinner with cabbage salad with visitors to his home.
He is survived by wife Marilyn of Jacksonville, daughter Robin Lynch and son-in-law Paul Ebhardt of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son Michael Lynch and daughter-in-law Sally Thomas Lynch of Woodstock, Georgia, son Tony Lynch and daughter-in-law Tricia Lynch of Jacksonville, and brother Larry Lynch of Hermitage, Missouri. Special memories were made with his five granddaughters who he took great pride in: Kelly Ebhardt (Robin), Lauren and Caroline Lynch (Mike), and Taylor and Samantha Lynch (Tony). In addition, he is survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews, and numerous close friends.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project. Graveside services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Pastor George Cheek officiating. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.