Robert John 'Bob' Pinkerton

Robert John "Bob" Pinkerton passed away in Anthem, Arizona on January 22, 2023, at the age of 90. Bob was born in Madison, Nebraska on July 28, 1932 to John L. and Vesta (Cronin) Pinkerton. He and his family moved to Kimball, Nebraska when Bob was an infant so his father could open a dental practice there. Bob graduated from Kimball County High School in 1950 and from the University of Nebraska in 1954, where he majored in Journalism.

Bob married Carol Jean Patterson, a fellow University of Nebraska student, on July 24, 1954. Prior to college graduation, Bob received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and he and Carol reported to duty at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in the summer of 1954. Bob and Carol welcomed daughters Becky and Pam there. The family returned to Kimball after Bob's two-year stint in the Air Force, and Bob began his long career at The Western Nebraska Observer. Daughters Linda and Sherry were born in Kimball, leaving Bob surrounded by a household full of females.

Bob bought The Observer from Art Henrickson in 1962 and was the editor and publisher until he sold the paper to daughter Sherry in 1993. During his years as editor/publisher, the Observer won 7 national newspaper association awards and 71 state newspaper association awards. In addition, his weekly column, On the Bobsled, won 15 state newspaper awards.

Bob received many newspaper honors and awards throughout his career including his induction into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame, his proudest professional accomplishment. He was a recipient of the Master Editor-Publisher award (the highest honor that can be bestowed upon members by the Nebraska Press Association). He served as a board member for the Nebraska Newspaper Association, and as president of both the Western Nebraska District Press Association and the Nebraska Press Association.

Bob was a Jaycee, Kimball Chamber of Commerce member, Kimball Country Club board member, a member of the American Legion, a charter member of the Kimball Public Schools Foundation, and a member of the school board. He served on the Kimball Hospital Foundation Board, and served on the University of Nebraska President's Advisory Council.

In his spare time, Bob loved loved to golf, and enjoyed skiing, walking, traveling and tinkering in his garage. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. In later years, he split his time between Kimball and Anthem, Arizona, before making Arizona his permanent home in 2015. If you knew Bob, you knew that one of his greatest gifts was his sense of humor, and he enjoyed a good laugh until the end.

Bob is preceded in death by Carol, his wife of 62 years; his parents, and his sisters Evelyn "Peggy" Pinkerton and Donna Rae Pinkerton Worker. He is survived by his four daughters: Becky (Hoke) MacMillan of Anthem, Arizona; Pam (Fred) Mavroudis, of Anthem, Arizona; Linda Davis (partner Andy Fullmer), of Fulton, Missouri; and Sherry (Alex) Blanche, of Anthem, Arizona. He is also survived by grandchildren Ryan and Chris Klemt, Brian Mavroudis, Tyler Davis, Whitney Davis Eastwood, Hilary Davis Bainbridge, Alison Davis Wheeler, Kim Davis Wyland, and Alex Blanche. He is also survived by numerous great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob's name to the Kimball Hospital Foundation, 505 S Burg Street, Kimball, Nebraska, 69145, or online at kimballhealth.org.