Robert Lee VanMeter
August 5, 1931 – March 23, 2018
Preceded in death by parents, Lemuel and Edna VanMeter; stepson, Eric; former wife, Tina DeSmet. Survived by wife, Frances VanMeter; daughter, Teri Roberts (Steve); son, Jeff VanMeter (Karen); stepdaughter, Kristen Kelly; grandchildren: Sean Roberts (Amy), Tyler Roberts, Hayden VanMeter, and Lesia VanMeter.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 2nd from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. FUNERAL: Tuesday, April 3rd at 11am at Morning Star Lutheran Church, 331 S. 85th Ave. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Tuesday, 1pm at Evergreen Memorial Park with military honors by Benson VFW Post 2503. Memorials are suggested to Morning Star Lutheran Church or Nebraska Humane Society.
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Bob was born and raised in Owatonna, Minnesota where his love of fishing and hunting started in early childhood and grew into a lifetime passion. He participated in the Air Force ROTC through high school and college. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in economics, he completed active duty Air Force as an officer and pilot.
After the Air Force, he started his career in sales at Patterson Dental Company, moving to Denver where he met and married Tina, his first love and mother of his two beloved children, Teri and Jeff. As his career advanced, he and his young family moved to Omaha, where he became active in his church and remained so until his hospitalization on March 12, 2018. He was also active in his community, with memberships for many years in Kiwanis, Business Breakfast Club, Masons, and Shriners.
Bob’s love of family continued to flourish throughout his life as he welcomed to the family his son-in-law, Steve and daughter-in-law Karen; he was a proud grandfather to Sean (Amy), Tyler, Hayden, and Lesia.
In 1995 Bob met and married his second love, Frances Van Meter, adding two stepchildren, Eric Tennant and Kristen Kelly, to his growing family. They shared very good times together for twenty-two years, with many of the dearest and most special times shared during their recent journey together as he battled Alzheimer’s disease.
2 Comments
Bob has been a very special friend for over 60 years, when I met my husband David. Dave really enjoyed the fishing trips and other times spent together and I enjoyed it when Bob and Francy would stop by when they were in MN. I can envision Bob and Dave sharing stories in heaven. My sincere condolences. Edna Thayer
Francie & family : Though it took time to get to know Bob as his CK, I will treasure our little talks. He was a very kind hearted soul. I will remember all the (stories) he told me , and I know his hugs were heartfelt, I will miss him dearly. My prayers and love are with you all. God’s Peace, Love , and Comfort to you all.
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