Robert "Bob" Lee Sharp

Robert “Bob” Lee Sharp, age 79, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska with his eldest daughter by his side. Cremation has taken place in accordance with his wishes. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2025, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff with Pastor Bruce Peterson officiating. A short reception will take place at Reverence Funeral Parlor with inurnment to follow at 3 p.m. at the West Lawn Cemetery in Gering, Nebraska. The United States Navy and Gering American Legion Post 36 Honor Guard will provide military honors. Memorials may be made in care of the family. The service will be live-streamed and recorded to Bob’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Bob was born August 1, 1945, in Duncan, Oklahoma, and was adopted at a young age by Wylia “Jinks” Hamilton Sharp and Mildred Thelma (Joens) Sharp. The family relocated to Kimball, Nebraska where his parents owned and operated a café downtown. His dad worked in the oil business and was a WW2 Purple Heart recipient and pilot. Tragically, when Bob was just sixteen years old, his dad was killed in a plane crash with a friend in their personal plane he was piloting on a ranch near Sheridan, Wyoming.

Bob graduated from Kimball High School in 1963 and attended military school for a short time. He then enlisted in the US Navy in 1964. Bob served from May 7, 1964 to April 23, 1968, during which time he was a radioman aboard the USS Paricutin AE-18, an ammunition ship, in the course of the Vietnam War. He was responsible for transmitting and receiving radio signals including Morse Code while aboard the ship. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal and was honorably discharged as an E4 RM3 (Radioman Petty Officer Third Class.)

Bob met his wife, Judy Riley, when she was teaching in Kimball. The couple moved to Reno, Nevada in 1971 and were united in marriage on August 10, 1972. They welcomed their first daughter, Shelby Lynn on May 23, 1974, while residing in Reno. They relocated to Gering, Nebraska and were blessed with twins, Stacie Lee and Stephanie Leann, born on May 22, 1977. Their fourth and youngest daughter, Shauna Lane, was born on September 22, 1982.

Bob worked a short time on the oil rigs in Kimball and in the telecommunications field in Nevada. When the family relocated to Gering, he worked for Burlington Northern at the depot as a Signalman (train dispatcher). He then went back into the telecommunications field and was employed by Northern Telecom. Bob continued employment with NorTel for many years which often took him out on the road for his job locations.

Bob had a variety of hobbies and interests throughout his life. At a young age, he was very musically inclined. He knew how to tap dance, play the accordion and piano, and was an avid guitar player forming various small bands in which he also played in. He loved Rock-n-Roll music! In 1974, Bob purchased a beautiful, brand-new Harley Davidson that he loved to tinker with and customize. His passion for riding led him to make annual trips to Sturgis, South Dakota, where he participated in the renowned bike rally for many years. Bob's motorcycle often took center stage at numerous bike shows, where he frequently claimed first place and earned awards for best in show/class.

In addition to his love for motorcycles, Bob embraced the martial art of Tae Kwon Do, working his way up to a black-belt ranking. He was not just a practitioner but also an enthusiastic instructor, sharing his skills and knowledge with his students.

Fascinated by the universe, Bob always had his eyes towards the sky. Over the years, he amassed a collection of telescopes, spending countless nights gazing at the stars. His curiosity with space, unidentified flying objects and the possibility of extraterrestrial life led him to join SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), where he utilized his computer skills to analyze radio telescope data in search of cosmic signals.

A true sky enthusiast, Bob also enjoyed the thrill of parachuting and took pilot lessons always dreaming of owning his own Cessna airplane. He liked leisurely pursuits as well, playing golf and poker with his friends, and enjoying friendly competition.

Bob often ventured out with his metal detector, exploring various sites in hopes of finding some buried treasures! He was also a skilled marksman and a proud member of the NRA (National Rifle Association), enjoying target shooting as a way to hone his skills.

Cooking was another of Bob's passions, and he had a particular fondness for spicy food. He even crafted his own signature spice rub, he aptly named S.O.S. Surface Of the Sun ®. Friends and family would gather to sample his latest fiery creations, featuring some of the hottest peppers known to man.

Lighting up the sky with a spectacular display of fireworks on his favorite holiday each year, Bob was like a kid in a candy store on the 4th of July! This yearly tradition and his enthusiasm for fireworks brought joy to friends, family and neighbors, making the holiday unforgettable year after year.

Bob was a highly intelligent, witty, and humorous individual who loved sharing jokes and laughter with anyone willing to listen. His vibrant personality and diverse interests made him a beloved figure among friends and family, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

Survivors include daughters, Shelby (Rob) Sharp-Druckenmiller of Gering, NE, Stacie (Chris) Sharp-Schinker of Chandler, AZ, Stephanie Sharp of Santa Barbara, CA, and Shauna (Peter) Vassallo of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren, Zayden Sharp-Druckenmiller, Gracie McGeoy, Vito and Vada Vassallo, Callie Schinker and Katy and Major Cartell; sister, Paula Brown; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dave (Irma) Riley, Michael (Shelly) Riley, Patricia (John) Bremer, and SueKay (Fred) Segrist; nieces and nephews, Gini Powers, Wendy Cort, Steven Riley, Trisha Riley, Heather Sendelbach, Adam Riley, Sara Bame, Gina Ray, Gary Bremer, Eric Heck, Jay Heck, and Natalie Segrist; along with extended family members and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Judith “Jane” Sharp; parents, Wylia “Jinks” Sharp and Thelma (Joens) Sharp-Henson, and Richard “Dick” Henson; biological parents, John Burnice McCord and Margie Lee (Winters) McCord; in-laws, Jean and Marjorie (Simonis) Riley; brother-in-law, Marvin Brown; niece, Terri Brown; nephews, Greg Bremer and Brian Riley; and his beloved Schnauzers, Sammy and Sadie.