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Robert L. Wissel, 80, of Grand Island, died Sunday, January 4, 2009. Mr. Wissel was born July 11, 1928 at Beatrice, NE. the son of Alfred and Rachel (Walfoord) Wissel. He is survived by his wife Patricia. Other survivors include a brother-in-law and his wife, William and Sonna Lindgren of Gering, Ne. and a sister-in-law and her husband, Judith and Frederick Gaines of Appleton, Wisconsin and nieces, nephews and many friends. His parents and sisters, Anita Wissel and Donna Williams and two infant brothers preceded him death. Bob was raised in Beatrice graduating from Beatrice High School, class of 1946. He graduated from Doane College in 1951. While at Doane, Bob participated in football, basketball and swimming. He was a member of Doane's first intercollegiate swim team and taught swimming classes. A football letterman, he played in offensive positions and was a member of the 1950 Nebraska College Conference championship team. He taught in Tobias and then came to the Grand Island school system, where he would spend the next 30 years. His titles at Walnut Junior High and later Grand Island Senior High, included social studies teacher, counselor, football, basketball and track coach, business manager and athletic director. He announced Grand Island senior and junior high track meets for 25 years. He worked the finish line for Nebraska State Track Meets for 24 years. He was meet director for the second Girl's State Track Meet. He served on the board of directors and was state president of the Nebraska Athletic Director's Association. His service earned him state and national honors, including a national federation citation presented at the National Convention of Athletic Directors in 1981; and Nebraska Athletic Director of the Year award. Bob, who earned a master's degree in education from the University of Nebraska, retired in 1988. He joined his wife in managing Lebesraum Retirement Home, which they owned for more than 30 years. He and Patricia Lindgren were married on June 18, 1967. They are members of First Presbyterian Church where he was a member of the choir since 1958. |
