We lost an amazing man on January 7, 2025. Bob Kirchmann was born October 3, 1942, at 12:50 pm at the Dodge County Hospital to Donald and Mildred (Gocken) Kirchmann. He went home to the family farm on Highway 36 north of Valley.
Bob attended J42 Rural School which was 1 ½ miles from the farm and when he was older Bob would walk to and from school each day-weather permitting. He graduated from Valley High School in 1960 and after graduation, worked at the Fremont Tribune on the printing presses until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 1/4/1962. While in training in San Diego, he went to Electronics school and later served aboard the CG-12 USS Columbus off the coast of Vietnam. He was an Electronics Technician and maintained the radar equipment and antennas. He was released from Active Duty on 2/14/1967. While serving, he received several excellent evaluations of his skills in maintaining the radar equipment. He was promoted to ETN2 (Electronics Technician Second Class) in April 1966.
After his formal discharge in January 1968, he returned to the family farm north of Valley and began looking for a job in Omaha. After a frustrating day of applying for jobs, he noticed the IBM office building and decided to stop in and apply. He was immediately interviewed and offered a job as a Service Technician. He did tell them that he couldn’t start for a week as he had just ordered a new Plymouth Fury 111, so he started later in March of 1967. He worked for IBM for 30 years and retired in 1997. While at IBM, he received numerous awards including the IBM Means Service award.
After he started working at IBM, he opened a bank account at the Bank of Valley and he looked so good in his 3-piece suit; that when he handed his paycheck to the teller, there was an instant attraction. A few days later he called and asked her for a date. In March of 1968, he proposed to Linda Buehler and of course she said yes. Then he then said that they couldn’t get married for a year. Linda reluctantly asked why, and he said he wanted to build her house on 2 acres of the Kirchmann Family Farm. She immediately agreed.
They were married on April 12, 1969, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington and moved into the house he had built on Highway 36. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on April 12, 2024. On June 20, 1971, their first son was born, Kurtis Wayne Kirchmann followed by another son, Kraig Michael Kirchmann on November 28, 1972. The boys took the school bus to Lincoln grade school in Fremont.
In 1984, Bob and Linda moved to Fremont and lived there until 2004 when they moved to the hills of Saunders County on 63 acres. In 2018, they moved back to Fremont to be closer to family.
Bob was an avid amateur Ham Radio operator (call sign: W0ICE) and was a member of the Pioneer Amateur Radio Club in Fremont for many years. Bob is survived by his wife Linda, Sons: Kurt (Sue) Kirchmann and Kraig (Kathy) Kirchmann. Grandchildren: Josie (Tyler Johnson) Kirchmann, Ryann Kirchmann, Jared Knollenberg and Cole Kirchmann, Great-grandchildren: Beau Robert Kirchmann and Kolter John Johnson along with his Aunt Helen Kirchmann and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Millie Kirchmann, sister, Barbara Kirchmann and several aunts and uncles.
Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Rev Scott Jensen will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military honors will follow the service on Tuesday. Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Elkhorn at a later date.
Memorials designated to the family to be determined at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
