Rob Prokop, 67, of Wilber, passed into eternity on Oct. 14, 2022, after a long bout with cancer. Rob was born April 8, 1955, in Lincoln, to Edward and Rubye Prokop.
He and his siblings were raised in Lincoln during their younger years before the family moved to Crete. When his father was elected Saline County Sheriff in 1970, Rob moved to Wilber to finish his last two years of high school. He made new friends quickly. He played basketball for those two years and was elected homecoming king his senior year. The move to Wilber suited him and he made it his home for the rest of his life.
Rob became an electrician after high school. He ran his own business before hiring on with ALPO Pet Products. Rob remained with Nestle Foods after they bought ALPO and worked there the remainder of his life.
He was very active in local causes and donated many hours of volunteer work throughout the years. In 1982, he joined the Wilber Volunteer Fire Department. Once he became an EMT, he also served on the rescue squad. He was an active member of both units his entire life. Rob was involved with much of the planning and organizing for the Wilber Czech Festival. A particular responsibility was the organizing of the parades which required immense preparation. Rob also found time to serve on the Wilber City Council.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Rob leaves behind a loving family, including wife, Natalya; step-daughter, Yanga; mother-in-law, Evgenia; sister, Susan and Tim Hester of Lander, Wyoming; brother, Rich and Sheri Prokop of Belgrade, Montana; several cousins and nieces; and many, many friends. Heaven welcomes home a good man. Well done, good and faithful servant.
A celebration of life will be Sunday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Wilber Fire Department, located one block south of the main downtown intersection of Highways 103 and 41. Cremation took place at Colonial Chapel in Lincoln. Memorial contributions are suggested to Wilber Fire and Rescue.
