Robert "Bob" Alexander Daffer

Robert Alexander “Bob” Daffer, age 93, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 17, 2016 at his residence at Brookdale McCook, NE.

Robert was born April 1, 1922 to Elmer A. and Helen M. (Green) Daffer in McCook.  He grew up in the Lebanon and Danbury area and graduated from Danbury High School in 1940.

In Robert’s Senior year his football team won the State Championship for Six-man football.

He entered the US Army on June 4, 1940 and was honorably discharged on October 5, 1945.  During his service he was a member of the 380th Bomber Group and flew the B-24 bomber in the South Pacific campaign, completing 37 bombing missions.  Robert attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his harrowing mission over Formosa.

On November 3, 1943 he married Marie Katheryn Rue in San Antonia, TX.  To this union three children were born: Robert Jr., Daniel and Kathie.

After the service Robert and Marie moved back to Nebraska where he taught school one year at Danbury High School.  The following year he started farming with his father and brother Alan and continued to farm until his retirement.

Robert was a member of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder for many years, he was a member of the American Legion Post # 313 for 57 years, he also served on the school board for several terms including the reorganization board for the school consolidation and he was on the ASCS board.

In his free time away from farming he loved to fish, travel and spend time with his family.  Robert was an avid sports fan and was very money minded and enjoyed watching and investing in the stock market.

Survivors include his wife, Marie of McCook; son, Daniel W. (Janet Stephens) Daffer of Denver; daughter, Kathie M. (Dan) Turley of Valley Center, KS; brother, Alan Daffer (Frances) of Cambridge; sister, Beatrice Wilson of Dudee, IL; and daughter-in-law, Marilyn Daffer of Independence, MO; brother-in-law, Teddie (Martha) Rue of Denton, TX; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Helen; son, Robert Alexander Daffer, Jr.; sister, Margaret Reagan; brother-in-law, Bill Reagan; brother-in-law, Ray Wilson, and sister-in-law,  Dorothy Edwards.

Visitation will be Monday, March 21, 2016 from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Dewayne Jackson officiating.   Burial with military honors will be in the Lebanon Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in his name.