Obituary for Robert G Gaston
Robert (Bob) Gene Gaston, age 65, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 in at Sidney Regional Medical Center in Sidney NE, in the presence of family, from complications secondary to COVID-19. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date due to Covid restrictions. Cremation has been held.
You may view Bob’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Bob’s care and funeral arrangements.
Bob was born 1955 in Sidney, NE to Francis (Bud) and Leona Gaston. He was the 2nd born child with two other siblings, an older brother Wendall and younger sister Arlene.
In 1976, he met his lifelong friend and soulmate, Shirley Cole at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. Bob and Shirley were married on September 29, 1979 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney, exactly 3 years from the day they met.
Bob has been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney and Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church north of Potter. He was christened on November 6, 1955 and confirmed on March 22, 1970.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Potter NE, where he attended Potter Public School. After graduation in 1974, he went to Western Nebraska Technical College where in May of 1976 he received an Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Auto Mechanics Technology.
Bob, at an early age, worked at his father’s service station "Bud's Texaco" in Potter. In 1977, Bob formed a partnership with his dad working together till 1986. That year Bob and Shirley became owners of the business, then known as "Gaston's Service," until May 2006. During this time, Bob was a representative agent for Greyhound Lines, Nebraska AAA, and Salvation Army. Business organizations included: Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Inc., National Motor Club of America, Nat'l Federation of Independent Business, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Starting 2006 he worked at Nebraska Land Tire in Kimball. In May of 2007, he was employed at John Deere/21st Century Equipment, LLC in Sidney, where he worked the last 13 years and achieved the status of a Gold Service Technician.
Bob was active in the community for many years, that included: the Potter Volunteer Fire Department/EMT, 1980 to 1995; Potter Days BBQ Committee Chairman, 1983 to 1993; Potter Youth Center Board Member/President, 1985 to 2014; Potter Sons of Legion for 10 years; Potter-Dix Cub Scout #105 Council Member, 1993 to 1995; Potter-Dix Cub Scout Cub Master, 1995 to 1998; Potter Village Board Member, 1994 to 2002 and Mayor for 3 years during this time; and Potter Lions Club Member, 1999 to 2017. Bob and Shirley were selected as the 2018 Potter Days Grand Marshals.
Bob was also a member in the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC's) and served on the local and state level. He served as Charter President of the Potter Jaycees. Local offices in Sidney were: Local Director and I.D. VP; Local Offices in Potter-Dix were: Local Director, State Director, President and Chairman of the Board; Nebraska State Offices held were: Leadership Development Chairman, Family Life Chairman, District Director and Regional Director. Bob’s Awards include: "Brotherhood of Man" Award for promoting teamwork on the State Board and District Director "Charles Thone" Award and was recognized by the U.S. JC's District Director "Blue Chip" Award, "Outstanding Young Man of America" in 1988. Bob and Shirley together were recognized as Sidney Jaycee-Jaycee Woman of the Year in May 1984. They both continued to serve together in 1988 on the Nebraska State Board and were recognized as the #1 Kennedy Couple - "Family of the Year". Both were honored with the U.S. 10th Degrees of Jaycees. In 1995, The Junior Chamber International (JCI) honored Bob (#54663) and Shirley (#54662) with Senatorships which is a Lifetime membership of the organization presented by the Potter-Dix and Sidney Jaycees.
Survivors include his wife Shirley; two sons, Ross Gaston and Barry Gaston; one grandson, Rubin Gaston; his mother, Leona Gaston; one brother, Wendall Gaston and his wife, Deanna, of Sidney, one sister, Arlene Aldridge and her husband, Marty, of Spearfish, SD; mother-in-law Maxine Brannon; 3 nieces, 2 nephews, numerous cousins, family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Francis (Bud) Gaston.
You may view Bob’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.
Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Bob’s care and funeral arrangements.
Bob was born 1955 in Sidney, NE to Francis (Bud) and Leona Gaston. He was the 2nd born child with two other siblings, an older brother Wendall and younger sister Arlene.
In 1976, he met his lifelong friend and soulmate, Shirley Cole at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. Bob and Shirley were married on September 29, 1979 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney, exactly 3 years from the day they met.
Bob has been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sidney and Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church north of Potter. He was christened on November 6, 1955 and confirmed on March 22, 1970.
Bob was a lifelong resident of Potter NE, where he attended Potter Public School. After graduation in 1974, he went to Western Nebraska Technical College where in May of 1976 he received an Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Auto Mechanics Technology.
Bob, at an early age, worked at his father’s service station "Bud's Texaco" in Potter. In 1977, Bob formed a partnership with his dad working together till 1986. That year Bob and Shirley became owners of the business, then known as "Gaston's Service," until May 2006. During this time, Bob was a representative agent for Greyhound Lines, Nebraska AAA, and Salvation Army. Business organizations included: Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Inc., National Motor Club of America, Nat'l Federation of Independent Business, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Starting 2006 he worked at Nebraska Land Tire in Kimball. In May of 2007, he was employed at John Deere/21st Century Equipment, LLC in Sidney, where he worked the last 13 years and achieved the status of a Gold Service Technician.
Bob was active in the community for many years, that included: the Potter Volunteer Fire Department/EMT, 1980 to 1995; Potter Days BBQ Committee Chairman, 1983 to 1993; Potter Youth Center Board Member/President, 1985 to 2014; Potter Sons of Legion for 10 years; Potter-Dix Cub Scout #105 Council Member, 1993 to 1995; Potter-Dix Cub Scout Cub Master, 1995 to 1998; Potter Village Board Member, 1994 to 2002 and Mayor for 3 years during this time; and Potter Lions Club Member, 1999 to 2017. Bob and Shirley were selected as the 2018 Potter Days Grand Marshals.
Bob was also a member in the Nebraska Junior Chamber of Commerce (JC's) and served on the local and state level. He served as Charter President of the Potter Jaycees. Local offices in Sidney were: Local Director and I.D. VP; Local Offices in Potter-Dix were: Local Director, State Director, President and Chairman of the Board; Nebraska State Offices held were: Leadership Development Chairman, Family Life Chairman, District Director and Regional Director. Bob’s Awards include: "Brotherhood of Man" Award for promoting teamwork on the State Board and District Director "Charles Thone" Award and was recognized by the U.S. JC's District Director "Blue Chip" Award, "Outstanding Young Man of America" in 1988. Bob and Shirley together were recognized as Sidney Jaycee-Jaycee Woman of the Year in May 1984. They both continued to serve together in 1988 on the Nebraska State Board and were recognized as the #1 Kennedy Couple - "Family of the Year". Both were honored with the U.S. 10th Degrees of Jaycees. In 1995, The Junior Chamber International (JCI) honored Bob (#54663) and Shirley (#54662) with Senatorships which is a Lifetime membership of the organization presented by the Potter-Dix and Sidney Jaycees.
Survivors include his wife Shirley; two sons, Ross Gaston and Barry Gaston; one grandson, Rubin Gaston; his mother, Leona Gaston; one brother, Wendall Gaston and his wife, Deanna, of Sidney, one sister, Arlene Aldridge and her husband, Marty, of Spearfish, SD; mother-in-law Maxine Brannon; 3 nieces, 2 nephews, numerous cousins, family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Francis (Bud) Gaston.