Bob (Robert O.) Whitlock, 100, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday June 27th, 2026.
Bob was born in Castana, Iowa on October 14, 1925 to Francis Marion Whitlock and Anna Maude Archer Whitlock. He joined his two older sisters, and the family then moved to Alliance, Nebraska in 1929, where he lived the rest of his life. He attended grade school at District 12, north of Alliance, and High School in Alliance, graduating in 1942.
During World War II Bob enlisted into the United States Marine Corps at Omaha, NE on February 21, 1944, he was in basic training at Camp Lejeune, NC. He was in the Pacific Theater and during that time he participated in actions against the enemy at Okinawa, Ryukyu Island, and in the occupation of China. Bob was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Rifle Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, and the U.S.M.C. Honorable Service Pin upon discharge. He was honorably discharged from Camp Lejeune, NC on August 9th, 1946.
Bob married Pat (Patricia) Copple in Alliance, NE on June 1st, 1947; this marriage lasted for 76 and ½ years. They had four children, Matt, Lee, Paula, and Gene. Bob loved sports; his greatest passion was roping and horses. He instilled this love in his children. He was inducted into the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame in June 2014. Bob said, “he figured he was truly blessed for he had a great family, relatives, good health, and he got to meet and call friends some of the greatest folks in the country. It just never got any better than that”.
Bob farmed and after five consecutive years of being hailed out went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad while still farming. He raised cattle, trained and rode good horses. He enjoyed going on roundup with his cousins in Wyoming and helping friends move, work, and brand cattle. While working on the Railroad his coworkers honored him by naming a section of track after him, it was called the ‘Whitlock Spur’, because he was a cowboy and possessed humility, integrity, and a strong work ethic. He retired from the Railroad after 34 years, but continued riding, roping and farming.
Bob is survived by his children, Matt (Carlene) of Hemingford, NE, Lee (Jettie) of Bandera, TX, Paula (Rex) Fritzler of Glendo, WY, and Gene (Diane) of Orchard, NE. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shane Sexton, Roxann Gamboa, Carl Whitlock, Randi Fisher, J.B. Schwaderer, Jacci Schwaderer, Eugene Fritzler, Justin Whitlock, Chandra Hanawalt, Alex Meyer, Ashley Meyer, and Sommer Fritzler; 24 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and sister-in-law Margie Whitlock. Preceding him in death were his wife Pat Whitlock, his sisters and brothers in law, Garnet Woods, Jean (Frank) Lafferty, Pat (Jack) Julius, and brother, Gary Whitlock.
The only thing Bob took with him was Jesus’ hand when he left this life.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 9th, 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alliance, NE. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. A reception following internment will be held at the Eagle’s Club on 1520 West 3rd Street, Alliance. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 8 from 1-7 p.m. Memorials may be given to Box Butte County Fair Board, designating the ‘Roping Chute’.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.