Col. Bobby B. Polk

Colonel Bobby B. Polk

September 3, 1953 – April 5, 2024

Preceded in death by parents, Charles E Polk and Vernetta (Lay) Polk; mother-in-law, Lorine Goynes; and brother-in-law, Bruce L Goynes.

Survived by wife, Lydia Gail (Goynes) Polk; brother, Charles E Polk, Jr.; father-in-law, Lonnie D Goynes; brother-in-law, Tovey L Goynes; sisters-in-law, Cheryl (Hill) Polk and Sandy Goynes; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, military and police families, and wonderful friends.

Private Service with Military Honors will be held at the Omaha National Cemetery.

The family will receive guests on Friday, April 26th from 12noon to 3pm at the “Celebration of Life” gathering at Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler – West Center Chapel, 7805 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.

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Bobby was born on Keesler Airforce Base in Biloxi, MS to Charles E Polk, and Vernetta (Lay) Polk.  His early travels took his family to Puerto Rico, and eventually Offutt Airforce Base in Omaha, NE where he graduated from North High School, and Bellevue University.  In 1974, while attending college, Bobby met the love of his life Lydia Gail (Goynes).  They married on June 8, 1979 and remained devoted to each other for over 50 years. Bobby loved taking long road trips with his wife, and he was passionate about his ever-changing collection of cars. He worked diligently throughout his very active life to ensure that both his wife, and his cars, felt his love and were well taken care of.

Bobby was the Director and full-time faculty member of the on-line and in-class Criminal Justice Program at Metropolitan Community College (MCC), where he taught 1000s of students. Bobby received the “Con Agra Foods Excellence Award for Teaching” at MCC.  Bobby used his years of civilian law enforcement experience to prepare students who followed him into civilian public service. He had over twenty-six years of Criminal Justice Instructor experience at the University and College level.  Bobby also shared his expertise in criminal justice education as an Adjunct Instructor for Kaplan University, Bellevue University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Bobby’s active and reserve military service included tours of duty with the US Marine corps, the Nebraska National Guard, and the US Army Reserves. During Bobby’s military career he served in the Military Police Corps and held Commands at the Platoon, Company, and Battalion level.

Bobby was a veteran of both Operation Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Noble Eagle.  Bobby was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps at his college graduation ceremony at Bellevue College in 1975.  Subsequently, he achieved the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves.  Bobby also served in the position of Deputy Chief of Staff – G3 Operations, 89th Regional Readiness Command, in Wichita Kansas from 2001 to 2006.  Bobby retired from the military in June of 2006 with over 30 years of service, receiving several decorations and medals including the Legion of Merit.

Bobby’s career with the Omaha Police Department included assignments within the Uniform Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and as the Supervising Sergeant and Training Instructor for the Omaha Police Recruit Training Academy. During this time, Bobby received his Professional Law Enforcement Instructor’s Certification and became a graduate of the FBI National Police Training Academy in Quantico VA. While supervising the Police Recruit Training Academy in 2000, his staff received the “Unit of Excellence Ribbon” for exceptional service. Bobby retired from the Omaha Police Department in March 2007 with twenty-five years of service.

As a teacher, leader, and mentor, Bobby touched many lives.  Bobby’ smile, his knowledge and wisdom, and his strength will be greatly missed, and our memories of him will last a lifetime. He leaves a legacy that will continue to thrive in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share his journey. May he rest in peace and may his memory forever be a source of comfort and inspiration for us all.

Thank you for being a part of his life and for joining our family to celebrate him.

 

34 Comments

  • ALVIN J. & ROLLY M. GRIGSBY Posted April 13, 2024 3:36 pm

    With eternal love and everlasting friendship your dear friend, co-worker, and fellow Marine. AL.

  • John Whalen Posted April 13, 2024 8:50 pm

    Thank you for your kindness, friendship and mentorship. I’m privileged to have served and worked with you throughout the years in the Army Reserve and MCC.

  • Deb Posted April 14, 2024 5:49 am

    I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. Thank you for your service to our country, our community, and the classroom.

    As former studet I learned so much from you Bobby. You will always be remembered.

  • Bobby Vondrasek Posted April 14, 2024 7:09 am

    Condolences to Bobby’s family. He was a valued mentor and an fine example to follow. We were brothers in Army and Police careers. I never worked directly for Bobby but as a part time academy and inservice instructor I learned a lot from Bobby as he would supervise me in those positions. .

  • Col. John R Worrel and Diana Raymond Posted April 14, 2024 10:05 am

    He was a soldiers soldier and will missed by all. RIP Col.

    John and Diana

  • Raymond Hill Jr Posted April 14, 2024 10:26 am

    To a life of service well lived and now a great lost too so many. To the family it not just your lost but as I read his bio I have come to realize his passing is a lot humanity. Pray that those he taught continue his legacy.

  • Kimberly Hill Posted April 14, 2024 10:43 am

    The world will miss your smile, humor, mentorship, expertise, and work ethic. Time to rest, good and faithful servant.

  • Floyd Pankey Posted April 14, 2024 12:36 pm

    My condolences for the loss of a great Man. Rest well Colonel Polk

  • Ben Brady Posted April 14, 2024 12:48 pm

    Condolences

  • Sharon Cribbs Posted April 14, 2024 2:48 pm

    Gail, please accept my sincerest and most heartfelt condolences. Bobby’s life exemplified love and service to you, his community and his country. Our faith informs us that we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven. Find comfort in that knowledge, and also in having truly lived your wedding vows until the very end. Much love, my sister-friend.

  • Greg and Kim Meyer Posted April 14, 2024 2:56 pm

    Always there for me, good times and bad. Giving sound advice or just listening when that’s all that was necessary. Often an island of calm in a sea of turmoil. Mentor, advisor, confidant, brother-in-arms, best friend. May Bobby rest in Christ’s peace.

  • Keith Harris Posted April 14, 2024 4:27 pm

    Bobby or Sgt. Polk was my Omaha Police Academy trainer. He made what sometimes could be a tense and uninviting atmosphere in the 1980s seem just a bit more inviting. He certainly was always there to lend a kind word, constant motivation, or a joke to help keep us going.

    Bobby was a great man and a kind leader. Rest in peace and my full condolences to the family. (Ret. Captain Harris)

  • Kenneth and Shawne Holland Posted April 14, 2024 5:19 pm

    Bobby was one of the few people who I personally never witnessed him being angry
    Every time I saw Bobby he always showed me love and kindness with a smile I will miss the unconditional friendliness that he showed me. May you rest in heaven, my big cousin Bobby oh I just wonder what kind of car you’re driving in heaven I love you Bobby You will be Truly Missed

  • Steven Hill Posted April 14, 2024 5:25 pm

    I first met Bobby in the early 80s, back then he wore a light-weight black jacket …..I called it his trade mark. I would often see him in it. Later when I bought a black jacket, it reminded me of his. I called it my “Bobby Polk” Today I still have a light-weight jacket in my closet. When the weather is a little cool, I put on my Bobby Polk. It seems a little silly, but this has been going on for about 40 years. I finally told him about it at our nephew’s wedding a few years ago. He laughed, I hope he didn’t think it was too strange. Now when I wear my Bobby Polk, It’ll have a significant meaning and memory……. a representation of his dedication to service. He too was my captain and battalion commander in The Nebraska Army National Guard.

  • Parthiv and Monica Shah Posted April 14, 2024 7:09 pm

    So sorry to hear the sad news. Our condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace.

  • esther scarpello Posted April 15, 2024 7:11 am

    I was so sorry to read about Bobby’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I was privileged to know Bobby as a co-worker at Mutual of Omaha – we were hired in the same training class in the Time Management Department. Bobby lived a life of service and I know that he has left a lasting legacy with his family, friends and community. Blessings to you all – best wishes in the days ahead. Esther Scarpello

  • George Merithew Posted April 15, 2024 7:54 am

    I am so saddened by the loss of COL Bobby Polk. Bobby was always a pleasure to work with and a born leader. I got to know Bobby better when I joined OPD. We were in a training class, me a student, Bobby the instructor, on 9-11. As we watched the attacks unfold, we both knew we would be called to serve in our Army Reserve capacities. While Bobby was activated to mobilize the soldiers of the 89th RRC, I worked to legally prepare those soldiers to deploy. COL Polk and I crossed paths at many a unit mobilization and his compassion and leadership helped a lot of soldiers prepare for the stress and fear of their upcoming tours of duty. Bobby was a true leader, with true professionalism and caring for those he served with as well as lead. We will not soon see another of his shining stature and he will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to Gail and the rest of Bobby’s family, both personal and professional.

  • Keith Williamson Posted April 15, 2024 9:03 am

    My condolences to the Polk family. Sgt. Polk was my academy trainer. He made a lasting impression on many people. He will be missed but remembered.

  • Nicolas Yanez Posted April 15, 2024 9:13 am

    My deepest condolences to the entire Polk family. Sgt. Polk was my police academy head training instructor over 27 years ago and the memories of that time will last forever. Our class had a strong respect and equal amount of fear of him during the academy and after the academy was over, we all had a great appreciation and love for him. My classmates still quote some of the things he said to us. His memory will be etched in our hearts forever. With love from Class 1-98!

  • Len Szmurlo Posted April 15, 2024 9:55 am

    My sincere condolences to the Polk family. Bobby was a fellow recruit in our OPD class of 1982. He was very well respected by the other officers and training staff partially because of his experience and background, but most of all because of who he was a person. This respect continued throughout his career. Bobby was a true “stand up” guy that one could always rely on. He will be missed..

  • Mike Stewart Posted April 15, 2024 10:13 am

    Bobby Polk was our Sgt. when I was a young and brand new recruit in the OPD Police Academy. He was such a great, kind, and natural leader, and even though he was our disciplinarian in the police academy and could certainly get on us and keep us in line when needed, he had a fantastic sense of humor and his smile always made me feel like he really cared about each and everyone of us. He was a great teacher and mentor and would help anyone that struggled during any phase of our training, making sure we learned things the correct way. The Omaha Police Department and all of the recruits and officers that were lucky enough to be trained by and worked with Sgt. Polk are much better officers and people because of getting to know him. My condolences and prayers go out to your entire family, you will be missed.

  • Jerry Siedlik Posted April 15, 2024 11:54 am

    Bobby was my training instructor in the Omaha Police Academy 35 years ago. It seems like yesterday. He was a great guy with a sly smile. Smart, honest, hardworking and kind. He will be missed by many.

  • Sue Clark Posted April 15, 2024 12:39 pm

    My condolcences to the Polk family. I seved with Bobby both on OPD and in the USAR. He was a well respected, kind and trustworthy man. On numerous ocassions did I receive good advice from him, especially on patience and sacrifice. He was also a mentor on how to better myself as a person and in my work. May you rest in peace Bobby.

  • Karl Koch Posted April 15, 2024 2:46 pm

    Sincerest condolences to the Mrs. Polk and all extended family. Bobby was our Sgt. in OPD recruit training and as a fellow jarhead we could talk the same language.
    He truly was a man who had seen it all, done it all, heard it all and been there.
    Rest in peace Teufel Hunden. you have served your country, community and family gloriously.

  • Dr. Kelly “KB” Turner Posted April 15, 2024 8:09 pm

    Condolences to the family of COL Bobby Polk The colonel and I shared some commonalities including hailing from Mississippi, serving together with the Omaha Police Department, and as professors of criminal justice. COL Polk was an officer and a gentleman, as well as a mentor to me during my years in Omaha. SGT Polk, rest in peace and may your light never dim.

  • Anthony Ward Posted April 16, 2024 6:43 am

    My condolences to the Polk family. It was an honor to have served with him both in law enforcement and military. May you rest in peace.

  • Ron Wiseman Posted April 16, 2024 7:03 am

    My condolences. Bobby was a first class officer at the 403 MP Company I was the S2 officer and I knew he would go far..He was a classy person

  • Kerry Evans Adams Posted April 16, 2024 2:25 pm

    I loved knowing Bobby all through High School. Reading his life’s story brought tears to my eyes. He was special in School and what a commendable person throughout his lifetime. He will be forever missed. Much love to his family. Kerry

  • Chris Shaner Posted April 17, 2024 10:15 am

    My sincere condolences to the family of this truly amazing Soldier. COL Polk was not only a great mentor but a friend as well. Rest in peace and Soldier On.

  • Dana L Taylor Posted April 22, 2024 12:28 pm

    I will always have good memories of COL. Polk, he was genuinely a good person. I don’t know anyone who that would have anything but good to say about him. I hope the best for his family.

  • John Portera Posted April 26, 2024 1:10 pm

    I am sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to know Bobby while we worked together at Brandeis and played ball together. We both went to Bellevue College and were good friends. He had a personality and a smile that could light up a room. Again in Christian fellowship, I am sorry for your loss.

  • Alichia Tucker Posted April 26, 2024 3:37 pm

    My condolences. Mr.Bobby you will be very well missed and I loved that I was able to be your caregiver since feb 7th of 2023 thank you for giving me the opportunity to be there to care for you the best way I can will miss our friendship but you will have a place in my heart always and forever I have you in my prayers Mrs Gail I’m sorry for your loss.

  • Donna Augustine-Cardella Posted May 4, 2024 7:35 pm

    What could I say about Bobby that hasn’t already been said. He was an amazing instructor and good friend. He certainly will be missed. Love & prayers “Crash”

  • Col John T and Annette C Ratzenberger Posted May 27, 2024 6:34 am

    It was my pleasure to know and to serve with Bobby in the Army Reserves. I am saddened by his passing, too soon.

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