Rev. Robert Gale Kocher

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The Rev. Robert Gale Kocher, age 98 of Fremont, Nebraska, died January 31,2026. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, June 17, 1927, he is lovingly remembered by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his life.

During high school, Robert worked at a local florist, where his love of flowers and gardening took root. After graduating from Benson High School, Robert served in the Army just before the end of World War II. After the war, he attended Midland College and then graduated from Central Seminary in 1953. That same year he married Shirley Wood at Salem Lutheran Church in Fremont, Nebraska.

Robert’s first parish was in Lancaster, Kansas, where he served from 1954-1957. Robert and Shirley then served as Lutheran missionaries in Malaysia for 14 years. On returning to the United States, Robert served as a pastor in Bertrand and then Emerson after which he and Shirley retired to their “house on the hill” just outside of Hooper, Nebraska.

Robert never really retired from his ministry, serving as interim pastor for several congregations across Eastern Nebraska for years after his official retirement. He was an active contributor and participant in weekly Bible studies for his adult life. In addition to his passion for his calling, his love for Shirley, their family and friends, Robert was an avid gardener, on the constant lookout for any additional square footage of soil he could beg, borrow, or steal (not really) to cultivate, grow and harvest his flowers and vegetable crops. He will be greatly missed.

Surviving are his children, Michael (Jodi), Eric, Bruce (Suzy), Jeanne (Machel Perry), and Carrie (Scott) Flynn. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary Lou Welker, his sister-in-law Patricia Remias (John), and many nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, son Ted, daughter-in-law Vickie, sister-in-law Betty Lou Nelson, and his brother-in-law Rev. John Nelson.

The family of Robert Kocher requests that memorials be made to ELCA World Hunger.

Services will be held on February 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, Nebraska

~~~obituary courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave # 292276264