Robert William Tiller

Robert William Tiller

Jan 20, 1930 - Aug. 10, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — Robert William Tiller, 87, of McCook, left this world on Aug. 10, 2017, while visiting family near Fort Collins, Colo.

Bob was born on a farm south of Bartley, Neb., on Jan 20, 1930. He grew up as a farm kid, graduated high school in Curtis, Neb., and promptly joined the U.S. Navy, where he served four years including duty in Alaska and San Diego. Home on leave in 1954, he married Veronica "Vonnie" Lucille Teel and they moved to San Diego for the remainder of his service. On receiving his honorable discharge, they returned to Frontier County, Neb., near Curtis to farm and ranch.

Bob and Vonnie moved to McCook, Neb., in 1969 and continued farming alongside their sons: first with Don and later with Jim, ultimately retiring and turning operations entirely over to Jim who carries on the family tradition today. In retirement Bob continued to carve roads and terraces, hunt, and otherwise enjoy the land he loved.

Bob and Vonnie raised four children: sons, Don (Patty) and Jim (Theresa "Pete"), daughter, Kathy Tiller Hanson (Milan) and nephew, John Bartels (Lori). They were blessed with 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Bob was a deeply involved granddad and loved them all dearly.

He is survived by his wife Vonnie and all of their descendants, as well as his brother, George Tiller of McCook and sister, Lucille Tiller Greenlee of Auburn, Ind.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” Tiller and Myrtle Bush Tiller Ruppert; Vonnie’s parents, Ernest and Blanche Teel; and by his sister, Marcia Tiller Bartels.

Bob enjoyed fishing, boating, playing cards with friends and family, and especially hunting pheasant, deer, coyotes, and anything else that roamed the farm. Early in their marriage Bob and Vonnie hosted and guided visiting hunters from Kentucky and Texas, forming lifelong friendships with their entire families.

Bob was a lifelong member of Methodist churches wherever he lived: Zion Hill Methodist Church, Quick (now Garden Prairie) Methodist Church, and for the last 50 years, McCook Memorial United Methodist Church. Bob was also a long-standing member of the Elks (BPOE), the Culbertson American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

In 1991 Bob and Vonnie purchased the first of several motorhomes and started traveling the U.S., often wintering in Florida, Arizona, or California. They joined several RV travel groups and crafted even more lifelong friendships. They both loved traveling.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at McCook Memorial United Methodist Church. Friends and family are invited to stay for a meal and fellowship at noon at the church. All are invited to drop in for visitation on the afternoon before, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, 4-6 p.m. at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the McCook Senior Center or the First United Methodist Church of McCook. Online condolences may be shared at www.herrmannfh.com

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.