Robert Lee Obituary

Robert "Bob" Edward Lee, Jr., 93, passed away April 19, 2025, with his family by his side at the Andbe Home in Norton after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born on April 21, 1931 in Goodman, MO. He was the oldest of 16 children.
Bob lived in many places in Kansas growing up. He married Mary Ann Esslinger in July of 1949, they had three children, John, Roberta, and Mary Jane, they later separated. On September 29, 1969, he married Carol Jean Stagemeyer in Mexico, they had four children: Tammy Lee-Steinmetz, Robert E. Lee, III, Scott Lee, and Barry Joseph Lee. Bob worked as a welder in the oil fields and for Challenge and Cook in Phoenix, Arizona and Western Gillette as a welder in California. He owned Lee Tractor Service doing underground construction in Las Vegas, NV. One notable thing Bob did was put the first load of concrete at the famous MGM Casino in Las Vegas. He would write a note, stick it in a bottle, and bury it at his job site. The note would read "If you're digging here, you're digging in the wrong spot" and sign it, Robert E. Lee. They moved to Beaver City, NE in 1994 and he then received his GED in 1997, so he could work for the Beaver City Police Dept. He later owned C&B Auto in Beaver City, NE and then worked for Richardson Trucking in Oxford, NE. Robert, along with his daughter, Tammy and granddaughter, Seirra, was baptized at the Mountain View Lutheran Church in Las Vegas on June 3, 1984. He was then confirmed on October 7, 1984. After moving to Nebraska, he joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe.
Bob loved taking his kids to ride dirt bikes and he did off road racing the Mint 400 and Frontier 500 in Baja's. He enjoyed flying airplanes, he even got to be the test pilot of the Gyrocopter. Bob also enjoyed playing guitar, watching old western shows, telling stories, and dancing at the Moose Lodge. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his grandkids.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carol Jean of Norton, KS; children: Roberta (Larry) Moody of Bend, OR, Mary Jane (Ben) Anderson of Waldport, OR, Tammy (Bill) Steinmetz of Norton, Scott Lee of Las Vegas, NV, and Barry Joe Lee of Hendley, NE; siblings: Donnie (Cheryl) Lee of McAlister, OK, Larry (Janice) Lee of Windsor, CO, Jaunita (Ron) Howard of Longmont, CO, Art (Karen) Lee of Salina, KS, Gary (Mary Ann) Lee of Springfield, MO, Lonnie Lee of Ulysses, KS, Jerry Lee of Weimar, TX, and Carol George of South Carolina;12 grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; 17 step-great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren, very special family friends, Donny Marshall of Reno, NV and Craig MacGregor of Venice, FL, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sons: John Lee and Robert E. Lee, III; grandson, Stephen Lockhart; step grandson, Damian DeMoss; great granddaughter, Stephanie Lee; brothers: Buddy Lee, Alan Lee, Harley Lee, and George Lee; sisters: Audry Bair, Cheryl Deyoe, and Ethel Bollinger.
A gathering will be held at Tammy's home from 5:30-7:30 pm Thursday, April 24th. Memorial services will be held 1:00 pm Friday, April 25, 2025 at the funeral home. A reception will follow the service at Tammy's home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert E. Lee, Jr. Memorial fund and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com
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