Wesley Robert (Bob) Reisser

Wesley Robert (Bob) Reisser

June 4, 1922 – August 8, 2024

How do you summarize a life that extended over a century? Here is an attempt. Wesley Robert “Bob” Reisser died August 8, 2024 in Elkhorn, Nebraska at the age of 102. He was particularly proud of his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, serving as B-17 bomber pilot. He married twice, both Kathies. He had two sons: the eldest, Craig, sadly preceded him in death in 2017 aged 70, and, Kurt; two grandsons – Wesley (named for him) and Colin; and one great grandson, Robin. He had a long career as a Salesman and Manager at Nebraska Tractor & Equipment Company in Omaha, NE selling powerful, large roadbuilding equipment — think bulldozers and the like — and an even longer career as a retired person.

Dad was born in Sioux City, Iowa, where his family lived at the outskirts of town. His father, Chris, sold heavy equipment for the J.D. Adams Company, and his mother ran the Yesterlaid Egg Farm. He was the youngest of four, with two brothers and a sister. He was quite close to his 5-year older brother Don, whom he held in the highest regard and who gave him the proper pointers on dating and how to treat a young lady. Dad was a really good-looking young man, with no shortage of young ladies to attend to. He drove an old Ford in which he installed a doorbell to ring at, rather than whistle at, the ladies.

He graduated high school in 1940, and enrolled at Omaha University as a Business Major, but the war came for young men after Pearl Harbor so he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, as his brother Don had done, even though he had never been in an airplane. He woo’d Kathryn Poole in a wartime romance, and they married in 1943 while he was a cadet. They decided not to have children until after the war in case he didn’t return. My Dad was a lucky guy, who flew 28 combat missions as B-17 pilot and brought all his crew safely back from all of them, and at the last, switched from dropping bombs to dropping food to the starving Dutch. His plane was named “Heaven Can Wait,” and he certainly made heaven wait a very long time.  His war experiences were a defining aspect of his life, the big adventure he shared with so many other young men of his generation. After the war he finished college, went into the reserves and bought a house in north Omaha where his son Craig was born. Nearby was a big lot, with a commanding view of the Missouri valley which they bought to build their (or at least my mom’s) dream house on the hill. Bob Reisser began his work career at Nebraska Tractor sweeping floors after school. When the war ended, he rejoined the company as a salesman until he was once again called up to fly the gigantic ten engine B-36 Peacemaker during the Korean War. This bomber carried atomic bombs and never saw combat but was part of the deterrent that kept the threat of nuclear war at bay. Kurt was born while he was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington.

Bob left the Air Force in 1952 after deciding that he had enough of the military and rejoined Nebraska Tractor. He was a gifted schmoozer and salesman, always the life of the party, and he made friends easily. His customers became his friends and they kept coming back to buy from this gifted salesman. He had the gift of gab and could tell a joke and spin a yarn. His jokes would currently be classified as “Dad jokes,” at least when they were clean. In 1957 he moved to Grand Island to open a new branch of Nebraska Tractor as the manager. He was ambitious and didn’t want to spend his career at the branch office, and he worked his way up to the ladder, returning to Omaha as Sales Manager and later as Vice President.

Bob and Kathy and their sons lived in their house on the hill for many years. They added onto it twice, putting on decks where one could enjoy the extensive views. Mom actively designed the additions and Dad dug foundations and aided the process. When Mom died in 2001, he moved to the Walnut Grove retirement community in Omaha. There he met a lovely widow, Kathryn Wozny, and they developed a friendship which blossomed into love. Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? They formalized their commitment to one another in 2007, moved to the newly built Elkridge Senior Living in Elkhorn and were blissfully happy for five years, until cancer took Kathy #2 from him. Bob remained there among his many friends, enjoying the activities and social life there until the end. In fact, he managed his weekly Wii bowling the night before he died.

Bob enjoyed extracurriculars such as Kiwanis luncheons, the church Lunch Bunch on Sundays after services, and 8^th Air Force 452^nd Bomb Group Historical Society meetings. For the 50^th anniversary of the 8^th Air Force landing in England, he traveled to his old air base, Deopham Green near Thetford, England. Kurt was lucky enough to join him there and be regaled with war stories by his buddies. He especially loved choral singing, adding his fine bass voice to the choirs at Omaha Central High A Cappella, Dundee Presbyterian, First Presbyterian and finally at Church of the Cross.

Bob was dutiful, loyal, and reliable. He worked for one company his whole career; his marriages lasted until the deaths of his spouses. He was an easy man to like, astonishingly cheerful and upbeat throughout his long life. He often described himself as “Bob with one o,” sometimes at most inappropriate occasions like being introduced to my son’s doctoral advisor. He was an assistant scoutmaster and Air Explorer postmaster. He continued to fly light aircraft for several decades after the war which qualified him as “coolest dad,” along with being able to drive big bulldozers and other machines. He could do handstands off the high diving board when in his 50s and was remarkably healthy and robust his whole life. He was really good to his family, and could always be counted on to help in those instances when it was needed.). He will be missed by all, but especially his family and close friends and will be remembered for his good cheer and love.

The family especially wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Elkhorn, where he lived so happily. And to Anne Pearson, who helped him so very much in his latter years, and provided him with companionship. And Carol and Terry O’Donnell, Kathy # 2’s daughter and husband, who treated Bob as their own.

Memorial Service: Monday, August 19th, 11AM at Presbyterian Church of the Cross (1517 South 114th Street) with a luncheon to immediately follow the service. 

Graveside Services with Military Rites: Monday, August 19th, 2PM at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com