Inducted into Neb. Aviation Hall of Fame

Former Blair resident Robert D. Lammers, 79, of Lewellen, died peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday Nov. 3, at the United Methodist Church in Lewellen. Masonic and Air Force military honors will be conducted at the church. A private family inurnment will be at a later date in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery near Blair.

Robert D. Lammers was born Aug. 9, 1932, in Hooper to Eugene James and Rosa Isabella (May) Lammers.

He graduated from Hooper High School in 1949. After graduation, he immediately entered the United States Air Force. He served four years before being honorably discharged on Sept. 15, 1953.

On Oct. 25, 1953, he married Patricia Allen in Blair.

The couple remained in the Blair area, living on a farm for the next 10 years before moving to Millard. In Millard, Mr. Lammers attended Radio Engineering Institution (REI). The family then moved to Kearney where they lived for 30 years. In Kearney, he worked as the Chief of Navigational Aids for the Department of Aeronautics. It was also there that he obtained his pilot's license.

In 1993, he retired, and the couple spent the next five years traveling the world in their fifth-wheel. They moved to Lewellen in 1998.

Mr. Lammers loved fishing, especially catching salmon in Alaska; caring for his lawn; an occasional round of golf; and visiting with family and friends. He had an excellent sense of humor. He will be remembered as a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren. He always put his family first and respected his family name.

He was a member of the Mason Lodge #39 of Papillion and the Lions Club in Lewellen. In 2008, he was inducted into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame. He also served as district president of the Mormon Church and helped build five new churches for the church in Nebraska.

He had been a member of the United Methodist Church in Lewellen since 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Marilyn Lammers of Kearney, Michael and Kerri Lammers of Chandler, Ariz., Jan and Cindy Lammers of Shenandoah, Iowa; two daughters and sons-in-law, Candace and Bryan Niemann of Rising City and Maggie and Chad Spicknall of Oceanside, Calif; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Al Croson of Fremont; many nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by one sister and one brother.

A memorial has been established at the United Methodist Church.

Holechek Funeral Home & Cremations in Oshkosh is in charge of arrangements.