- Date Of Birth: January 11, 1941
- Date Of Death: April 13, 2014
- State: Nebraska
Robert Bruce Bates, Jr. was born to Robert Bruce and Ruby Mae (Fithian) Bates, Sr. on January 11, 1941 in Tecumseh, Nebraska. He attended Elk Creek High School and later graduated from Tecumseh High School. He attended Aviation School and then went to work for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads where he worked as a land surveyor. Robert later had his own business, Bates & Associates.
He was united in marriage to Bonnie Faye Newman on June 21, 1959 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Bonnie passed away March 9, 1984.
Robert was a past member of St. James United Methodist Church in Lincoln. He was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. In his spare time he enjoyed camping, fishing and woodworking.
Robert passed away at his home in Lewiston, Nebraska, on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the age of 73 years.
He is survived by his daughters, Gail Buskirk of Aurora, CO and Tiara Kuhlmann and husband Jason of Lincoln, son-in-law, Norm Arnett of Crete, grandchildren, Will Arnett, Laurie Arnett, Jareth Kuhlmann and Oliver Kuhlmann, brothers, Gary Bates of Lincoln and James Bates of Tecumseh, sisters, Sharon Maurice of Victorville, CA and Janet Crable and husband Abe of Lincoln, nieces and nephews, longtime partner, Judy Wagner and her family, other relatives and friends.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bonnie, daughter, Brenda Arnett, brother-in-law, Phillip Maurice and sister-in-law, Lois Bates.
