Robert "Bob" Crawford

Robert Elmer “Bob” Crawford, 94, of Oshkosh passed away Monday, September 7, 2015 while residing at the Regional West Garden County Nursing Home where he had received outstanding care for the last four years.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Oshkosh with Pastor Jeniffer Brand officiating. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Cemetery.

Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation at the funeral home.

Memorials in Bob’s name can be made to the Oshkosh United Methodist Church or the Garden County Health Services Foundation.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Crawford Family.

He was born in Curtis, Nebraska on July 25, 1921 to Elmer O. and Fanne (Bellew) Crawford.

Bob attended North Platte, Nebraska schools graduating in 1939. As a high school student he delivered newspapers and set pins at the local bowling alley.

Bob was a very active Boy Scout, earning Scouting’s high rank of Eagle Scout. He continued to support the Boy Scouts in Oshkosh for many years.

After high school Bob moved to California and worked in the aircraft industry for 10 years.

In 1950, Bob moved back to North Platte to help his mother in her flower shop, there he met Donna Jean Schmidt of Callaway, Nebraska.

In 1952, Bob and Donna were married in Oshkosh. A son, Rodney, was born to them in 1954. Donna ran a flower shop in Oshkosh until her death from cancer in 1957. Bob worked at various jobs around the Oshkosh area until 1958 when he purchased Oshkosh Sand and Gravel from Harvey Decker.

Bob met and married Esther June Robinson of Thedford, Nebraska in 1961. Esther taught school in the Oshkosh school system for 31 years.

Bob continued to operate the gravel business, adding a redi-mix concrete operation, until 1986, at which time he sold the business to Allen Lake of Oshkosh.

Throughout Bob’s career he became known as the man who could come up with unique solutions to mechanical and construction problems. Many times saving friends and neighbors time and money. Most things that Bob owned or was around, sooner or later, received a “Bob Crawford Modification” of one type or another.

Bob was active in the Lion’s Club for many years in Oshkosh.

As a church member, Bob helped the United Methodist Church of Oshkosh when the old church burned by donating equipment and many man hours to salvage and clean up. Bob constructed the rock and concrete panels on the front of the new church as well as the sign base in front of the church.

For many years Bob and Esther have been very proud of their home, yard and garden northwest of Oshkosh. Both have spent countless enjoyable hours working to create a beautiful residence.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Donna, and brother-in-law, Dale Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Esther, son, Rodney, brother-in-law, Allen Robison, nieces Jan Brown and Jeanne Cheney and many friends and neighbors.