Bob Fischer passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Oct. 19 at University Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 1565 18th Ave. in Columbus, with co-celebrants the Rev. Bob English and the Rev. Mike Swanton. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, with a rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Bonaventure Church. Private family interment will be at a later date.

Bob was born on July 26, 1952, at St. Mary's Catholic Hospital in Columbus, to George and Margaret (Schumacher) Fischer. Bob grew up on a farm near Cornlea and attended the Sacred Heart grade school and Humphrey High School. Bob graduated from Humphrey High in 1970, attended the United Electronics Institute in West Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated in 1972. Bob also attended the University of Nebraska of Omaha and was a cheerleader for the Mavericks. Bob was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Bob married Sandie Schmidt in 1975. Sandie being the oldest of 10 children, Bob would say, "I will never be able to remember all of your siblings' names." While they were on their honeymoon in Estes Park, Colorado, Bob had to deal with Sandie being homesick for her family. They lived in Omaha where Bob worked for Rowe International for two years and moved to Columbus because Sandie was homesick for her family again. Bob was offered a position at Nebraska Public Power District in 1977 as a draftsman. In 1979, he was promoted to planning technician II, and in 1981 he advanced to planning technician I. He was promoted to senior planning technician in 1988, and later that year was named senior operations service technician. In 1997, he was named customer contract services technician. Bob was employed with the district for over 40 years. Bob would always say I was born here (at St. Mary's Hospital where NPPD is located) and I will die here because the district was built on the hospital property.


Bob had a wonderful group of friends at the district that over the years enjoyed golf, softball, bowling, pool league, card playing and having fun. Bob also had his hunting buddies and enjoyed turkey hunting, a hog hunt, a buffalo hunt with his son Jesse, and deer hunting and processing his own sausage, jerky and slim jims. Bob obtained his love for hunting from his Dad. Bob also enjoyed spending time with his 5:00 p.m. counseling group. Bob was a charter member of the "Louie Louie" group.

Bob and Sandie built their own house. They have two sons, and Bob enjoyed hunting, traveling, watching TV, working in his man cave garage, and he loved to shop…at Cabela's. Bob was currently working on his new retirement man cave-deer processing shed. He loved his license plate "It's U Bob", the Nebraska Huskers, and hated Sandie's "Things to Do List".

Bob was not involved with any particular service clubs but was a full-time volunteer for the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. Bob and his hunting buddies for the last 17 years assembled the Santa House in Frankfort Square the week before opening rifle season. And then each winter waited patiently for a warm day to take down the Santa House in January or February or even March. Bob was also the head logistics person for Columbus Days. He had a great team of friends who would haul panels to build and set up the beer garden fences, signage, and whatever else was needed. Bob was on the Columbus Township board, and a member of the St. Bonaventure Church.


Bob is survived by his wife, Sandie; his son Dan of Columbus, and his son Jesse and daughter-in-law Heather, along with the love of his life… granddaughter Indi of Raleigh, North Carolina. Bob is also survived by brother Bill (Janice) Fischer; sister Bev (Jim) Olmer, sister Cindy (Jack) Boesch; mother-in-law Theresa Schmidt, brother-in-law Bernie and Jeff Schmidt; sisters-in-law Barb (Leon) Bender, Lori (Bryan) Reichmuth, Kristin (Tom) Alt, Lisa (Todd) Henke, Jackie (Ted) Wegener, Beverly (Tim) Zach, Kathy (Rick) Kerstiens; along with numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Jim Schmid; and his dog, Huxley.

The family requests memorials to the Columbus Community Foundation. Please, no flowers or plants.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Dick Fischer, Richard Piper, Cory Bender, Rodney Dunson, Mike Mulligan, Gary Ewers, Tim Popisal, Jeff Elting, Bob Byrn, Rick Schaecher, Chip Frailey, Brian Konecky, Al Beiermann, Brian Brownlow, Jason Hoefer, Jim Hotovy and Randy Lindstrom.