Robert "Bob" John Leslie

Robert "Bob" J. Leslie, 78 of Spalding, NE passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 22, 2022 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spalding, NE with Fr. Antony Thekkekara officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Leslie Family Charitable Foundation or to St. Michael's Parish.

Levander Funeral Home of Spalding, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Robert John Leslie (also known as Bob, Rob, Chester, Dad, Uncle Rob, Grandpa Leslie, Papa Smurf, Papa Bear, Bob-o, Bob the Builder and more…) was born March 28, 1944, in Spalding, NE to Harold and Hazel (Bourn) Leslie. He grew up on a farm near Wolbach, NE with his parents and two older sisters, Harriet and Janice, until the family moved to a farm between Primrose and Spalding where he attended Spalding Academy graduating 1962. After moving to Spalding, he met his future bride, Marilyn Rudloff, and courted her for a couple years until their marriage in the chapel at the St. Cecelia Cathedral in Omaha, NE in 1963.

Bob attended college but would likely tell you he had an education in life and paid plenty of tuition along the way. He owned and operated Spalding Irrigation from 1982 until his sons took it over in the 2000s. Bob had a "yellow paint" dirt moving craze, but his biggest passion was farming. Bob was heavily involved in the community. He was a member of the St. Michael's Men's Club, Spalding Area Boosters, an EMT with the Spalding Rescue Squad, Road District III, Greeley County Zoning Board, S.A.V.E., and the Spalding Academy Endowment Board.

He was blessed with the gift of relationship building and never met a stranger. He could make friends with anyone which sometimes made his children (and maybe even his wife) want to walk away and pretend we didn't know him. In the past few years, we have watched him charm nurses, doctors, and even his children into doing the craziest things for him (laying on the floor).

His quiet attitude of service was a gift to many and is something he was known for within his family as he preferred to remain anonymous when giving of his time, treasure, and talents.

He would often say "Hey, have I got a deal for you." His silly humor, positive "let's give it a try" attitude, and constant cheerleading to his family were gifts they were blessed to have in their lives. He was so loved and will be greatly missed by many.

Bob is survived by his wife: Marilyn of Spalding, NE; 10 children: Shannon (Dave) Thome of Spalding, NE; Rebecca Leslie of Rapid City, SD; Joseph (Kandy) Leslie of Spalding, NE; Sonja (Gary) Murphy of Norfolk, NE; Paul Leslie of Spalding, NE; Nicole Pritchard of Fremont, NE; Joshua Leslie of Spalding, NE; Amy (Greg) McKay of Spalding, NE; Peter (Courtney) Leslie of Spalding, NE; Tara (Dennis) Smydra of Norfolk, NE; 31 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; sister: Harriet (Larry) Steenson of Wolbach, NE; sisters-in-law: Roseann (Leo) Peterson of Plattsmouth, NE and Carol Holman of Lincoln, NE.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Harold and Hazel Leslie; infant twin sons: Jesse and Jeremy Leslie; mother-in-law: Rose Rudloff; grandson: Shane Thome; sister: Janice (Leslie) Newton; son-in-law: Richard Pritchard; and brothers-in-law: Larry Rudloff; Joe Rudloff; Louis Rudloff; and Paul Rudloff.

In closing, don't take any wooden nickels and the current corn price is $6.73.