Robert E. ""Bob Spurgeon

Robert E. “Bob” Spurgeon, 93, of Scottsbluff, died Saturday morning, February 6, 2010, at Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home. A service celebrating his life is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010, at First Christian Church, 2101 Avenue A, in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ted Weiland officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, The LaPorte Church of Christ, and Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home. Robert Everett Spurgeon was born January 19, 1917, the first child of Joseph and Pauline (Everett) Spurgeon. He and his six brothers and sisters grew up on the Everett family farm, east of what is now Western Nebraska Regional Airport. He attended Hillcrest School and Scottsbluff High School where he graduated in 1936, after delaying his studies for two years to help his father and brothers on the farm. Bob entered the U.S. Army in January of 1941, one of the first 15 draftees from Scotts Bluff County. He spent much of World War II in the San Diego area and the rest of the time with the Allied Occupation Forces in Germany. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945. In 1952, Bob married Barbara Rogers Redfern of Gering. They met at a square dance where they were introduced by their respective brothers and sisters-in-law. The couple settled on the farm, raising sugar beets, beans, corn, hay, and sheep. They had five children, Barbara’s daughter and son, Judy and Mark Redfern; and Mary, Sam, and Jeff Spurgeon. Bob was an excellent farmer and a great steward of the land. His skills earned him several Top Ten Grower awards from the Great Western Sugar Company, and he was also involved with several other agricultural organizations including the Scotts Bluff County Farm Bureau, local bean cooperative, and Wool Growers Association. Bob had a life-long interest in history and this led to his closer examination of government and politics. He was a student of the U.S. Constitution and he felt very strongly that it should be interpreted more literally to fight what he viewed as injustices in tax laws and the monetary system. Bob retired from farming in 1997, and he and Barbara moved to the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home, where he lived until his death. During the time in the Veteran’s Home he continued his interest in farming and worked as a hired man for several local farmers. Bob was known for his work ethic, his large appetite, slim physique, and his honesty and integrity. He was an avid reader and enjoyed his children and grandchildren, attending many ball games and concerts. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children, Judy (Dave) Rama of Baker City, OR, Mark (Sharon) Redfern of Lewistown, MT, Mary Spurgeon of Bellevue, NE. Sam (Missy) Spurgeon of Angora, NE, and Jeff (Judy) Spurgeon of Brooklyn, NY; three sisters, Martha Ravenscroft of Miles City, MT; Wilma Gibson and Phyllis (Dean) Drawbaugh both of Scottsbluff; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers John and Ed Spurgeon, his sister Ruth Spurgeon McKinley, and his grandson Daniel Rama.