Robert (Bob) J. Lower was born August 11, 1935, at home north of Valentine, NE to Roy and Luella (Grooms) Lower.  He passed away November 22, 2025 at Rock County Long Term Care.  He attended Harmony grade school and graduated from Valentine Rural High School in 1955.  During his senior year he met the love of his life, Evelyn Starr.  Bob joined the United States Army and left right after graduation for boot camp in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.  While on leave in November of 1955 he asked Evelyn to marry him the next time he was home.  To everyone's surprise, Bob came home for Christmas and they married on December 26th, 1955.  They had a short time together as husband and wife before Bob was stationed in Korea for the next 18 months, working as a mail clerk.  They would have been married 70 years this year.

After returning from the service Bob worked as a hired hand for Wickman's and Simmon's south of Eli, NE.  During this time their oldest son Kelvin was born.  In 1961 Bob and Evelyn moved to Valentine where Bob was yard foreman for the Valentine Livestock Auction.  Their son Ronald was born shortly after moving to Valentine, with Starla joining the family 3 years later.  In 1970 Bob went to work for Weston Grain and Feed and was the Hubbard Feed salesman.  In 1981 Bob decided to become a custom hay hauler and was the proud owner of Bob Lower Haymoving.  Bob had many other jobs throughout his life, all which he took pride in, but the job he loved the most was working on the farm alongside his dad.

He truly loved his country and was proud of his service time, earning several commendations for his excellence in marksmanship.  He loved his wife, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.  He and Evelyn had several friends that became family, Jack and Agnes Anderson, their children Greg and Kelly (Warren) Rockwell, Rudy and Diane Moravec and their children, and Tom and Barb Fisher.  And, we must not forget his love for his annual mountain oyster feed.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn (May 11, 2025), his parents Roy and Luella, father and mother-in-law Lloyd and Ruth Starr, brothers Ted and his wife Vi, Charles, Jerry and his wives Dixie and Pauline.  Also preceding him in death were in-laws Ramona Cook and her husband Jack, Charlie Starr, Glen Starr and his wife Jeanie and Joan Starr.

Bob is survived by his children Kelvin (Kathy) of Spearfish, SD, Ronald (Kathy) of Valentine, NE, and Starla (Susan) of North Platte, NE.  His grandchildren and great grandchildren are:  Ryan (Holly) Lower and their children Micah, Adaline, Nikola and Milo, Tyler (Taylor) Lower, Rob (Rebecca) Lower and their children Ella, Rhett, Joy and Rory, and Kassi (Tyler) McCartney.  Bob is also survived by his sister-in-law Virginia Lower and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service for Bob Lower, age 90 of Valentine will be held on Friday, November 28 at 11:00 AM at the Valentine Methodist Church. The burial will be held at a later date.  Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the funeral service at the church.  Mr. Lower passed away on November 22 at the Rock County Long Term Care in Bassett.