Robert E. Kerby

Robert E. Kerby, 87 of Kearney was called home to heaven on December 22, 2016 after a brief illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday December 28th at 10:30 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church located at 2407 W. 56th Street in Kearney, NE with the Rev. Paul Colling officiating. Interment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday at the at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home at 4115 Avenue N, Kearney, Nebraska followed by a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service and Rosary at the funeral home. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born June 22, 1929 in Denver, Colorado to Earl and Mary (Kranz) Kerby. Bob grew up living in various Colorado towns before settling in Colorado Springs as his parents constructed highway bridges throughout the state. At the young age of 17, Bob left home and went to work as a cowboy on well-known cattle ranches in northeastern New Mexico including the Bell Ranch. His passion for horses, the West, and creating western artwork was just beginning. Bob met Genon Micek (his wife of 63 years) at the Bear Trap Ranch in Colorado and they were united in marriage on Dec 31, 1951 in Columbus, Nebraska. They moved to their current acreage in Kearney in 1958 where Bob started colts, trained horses, calf roped and began oil painting. Bob graduated from then, Kearney State College, in 1963. He taught art at Walnut Junior High School in Grand Island for four years from 1964 to 1968. His interest and talent to create western oil paintings continued to blossom and he turned to being a full-time Western artist. As the “Artist of the American West” he created over 300 oil paintings. Bob and his son Clint, started Bob Kerby’s Longhorn Studio in 1988. Utilizing Bob’s paintings, they produced a full line of Christmas cards, prints, two Western cookbooks and his popular Range Riders appointment calendar, which has been enjoyed and viewed by thousands of people nationwide. The 2018 calendar edition will mark the 30th year of production. Bob also stayed close to his love of rodeo and competed in team roping up until he was 74. He put on many jackpot ropings and practices at his arena in Kearney. He loved all children and adored his grandchildren and great granddaughters, as they brought such tremendous joy to his life. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends who enjoyed his sense of humor, knew of his compassion and shared his passion for art, horses, roping and the Western life style. Survivors include daughter, Lori (Chris) Watters of Bettendorf, Iowa and son Clint of Kearney. Grandchildren Valerie (Marcus) Wolfe of Papillion, Nebraska; Nicholas (Lucia) Watters of Vicenza, Italy and Richard (Amber) Watters of Rolla, Missouri. Great granddaughters Aurora and Audra Wolfe, Adriana Watters, and Trinity Vroman. Sister Doris (Babe) Schum of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brother Bill (Helen) Kerby of Halstenbek, Germany and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2015, his parents and one niece. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation on Bob’s behalf.

Robert E. Kerby

June 22, 1929 - December 22, 2016