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Bob was born in Whitney, Nebraska, on April 5, 1917, to Fred and Ethiel Isabelle Ball Connell, joining a family with roots in DawesCounty since 1885. Bob graduated from WhitneyHigh School and lived in Whitney until moving to Chadron in 1970. He worked for the Baldwin Brothers on their custom dam building crew and experimental farm in Whitney between 1938 and 1941.

Bob entered the US Army on March 12, 1942, and served in the 5th Armored Division 34th Regiment until June, 1943. He transferred to Aviation Cadets in the US Army Air Corps; as a pilot, he flew training flights for bombardiers. He received orders to go overseas days before the war ended. He was discharged in October, 1945, as a Second Lieutenant.

Bob married Ruth Ann Wilson (who came to Whitney to teach) on May 28, 1949. They formed the Connell Oil Company, ran the service station in Whitney, and delivered fuel to area customers from 1953 until 1969. The company sponsored many bowling teams, as Bob was an avid bowler.

For 30 years, he drove up to 80 miles a day as the Rural Letter Carrier on Rural Route 1 around the Whitney area. Many children appreciated the clothes and items “Bob the mailbox” delivered to them; when he retired, he said he missed the children most.

Bob served as treasurer for many organizations including The Village of Whitney, School District 62, Whitney Irrigation District, and WhitneyMethodistChurch. He was a member of the Dawes County Historical Society, UnitedMethodistChurch, American Legion, BPO Elks, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and the Visually Impaired Persons Support Group. In retirement, he stayed very busy with Pine Ridge Amateur Radio Club activities.

A true jack of all trades, Bob could build, wire, weld, and repair most things. He taught 4-H youth electricity and taught/tested beginning ham radio operators. His interest in young people and commitment to the community prompted him to tutor local high school students in math, to be a Boy Scout Leader, and to help with the creation and transportation of numerous parade floats.Bob died May 31, 2010, at his Prairie Pines Lodge home in Chadron. He was preceded in death by daughter Paula Jo and son Kelly Jay; brothers Clarence, Charles, and Warren “Windy”; sisters Gwen Walcott and Mildred Scofield.

Wife- Ruth Ann Connell of Chadron, NE

Daughter- Vicki Ann Connell and husband Keith Kay of Athens, GA.

Sister- Betty Thompson of Bismark, ND.

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.

Immediate Survivors: