E. Robert Bob Olmstead

E. Robert “Bob” Olmstead, 78, of Johnson Lake and Scottsbluff, died Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. At his request cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, June 16, 2006, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Scottsbluff with The Very Reverend Gary Young officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date in Seward, Nebraska. Bob was born February 21, 1928, in Chadron to Edwin and Marjorie (Garret) Olmstead. He graduated for Lincoln High School in Lincoln in 1945. He then served two years in the Navy Seabees in the Philippines. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1952 with a civil engineer degree and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In 1962, Bob started Dominion Construction Company in Lincoln and later moved the company to Scottsbluff. Dominion specialized in the construction of high voltage transmission lines in the western United States and street lighting projects in Nebraska. Bob retired to Johnson Lake in 1988, turning the business over to his son, Mike who continues to successfully operate the company today. He was active in Ducks Unlimited and waterfowl conservation while in Scottsbluff. He was treasurer of the Johnson Lake Development Incorporated the past four years. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Peggie; his four children and their spouses: daughter, Linda Olmstead and Bill Barnthouse of Centennial, Colorado; son, Mike and Mona Olmstead of Scottsbluff; son, Joe and Janet Olmstead of Lincoln; and daughter, Kelly and John Marker of Rapid City, South Dakota; seven grandchildren: Justin and Heather Olmstead of Lincoln; Tom and Dan Olmstead of Scottsbluff; Alex, Christian and Anna Marker of Rapid City. He is also survived by stepchildren: Lee Gustavson of Vancouver, Washington; Anne Blakley of Seattle, Washington; and grandson, Alex Gustavson of Portland, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, James.