Robert Henry Sell

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Robert Henry Sell

March 11, 1926 - Dec. 29, 2006

Robert Henry Sell, known as "Bob," 80 years of age, passed away on Friday (Dec. 29, 2006) at Community Hospital in McCook.??

He was born March 11, 1926, to Rudolph and Hazel Sell at Huntley.  He and his sister, Betty Jo, were both born in the same house and bedroom as their father Rudolph.??He attended elementary school in Huntley. 

The family moved to Stamford in September of 1938, where he graduated with the class of 1943.  He then attended Kearney State Teacher's College where he played on the college basketball team.

He served in the Provost Marshall's office at Corps Headquarters in Korea during his enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1945 and 1946.??

He married Helen Louise Bolin on Christmas Day, 1946, at the home of her parents in "old" Republican City.  To this union, two daughters were born, Robin and Rita. 

They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this holiday season.??Most of their married life they lived in Stamford where he was rural mail carrier for 37 years.  He and his best friend, Carson Williams, refereed football and basketball for 25 years.??

He was a member of the Holdrege Elks Club, he was a volunteer Stamford firefighter for 25 years, and just this year was presented a certificate acknowledging 60 years as a member of and dedication to the ideals of the American Legion.  His membership was with the Fay Cady Post No. 118 of Alma.  He served as a Nebraska State President of the Rural Letter Carriers Association.  They attended 25 National Rural Letter Carrier Conventions.??

On Feb. 13, 2006, the couple moved to Willow Ridge Retirement Home in McCook, so that he could be closer to a kidney dialysis center.??

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Hazel Sell, father and mother-in-law, Cecil and Hazel Bolin, and brother-in-law, Leonard Olney.??

He is survived by his wife, Helen of McCook; two daughters, Robin Sell and Rita Bentley and husband, Roger of McCook; two grandsons, Rob and wife, Jenny of Big Rapids, Mich., and Benji and wife, Lindsay of Beatrice; one great-granddaughter, Addison of Big Rapids, Mich.; and sister, Betty Jo Olney of McCook; along with numerous relatives and friends.??

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Torrey Funeral Chapel in Alma.  Interment will be at the Stamford Cemetery. 

Memorials will be given to the Stamford Volunteer Fire Department.??