Robert "Bob" Ryschon was born on April 6, 1918 near Carter, South Dakota, the second child of Joseph and Rena (Dickenson) Ryschon. His youth was spent hard at work on a dry-land farm with Bob recalling the task of hooking up a team of work horses at age 7, the same year his mother passed away. He was "rescued" by Frank and Helen Ryschon, with Helen arriving on her white horse named "Silver", being accepted into their home north of Valentine, NE, and serving as big brother to their five children. Not having the chance to graduate from school, he worked as a ranch hand in the Valentine area during the Great Depression and enlisted in the United States Army in February of 1942.
Sergeant Ryschon acted as the Message Center Chief and operated the telephone switchboard for Headquarters Company of the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion during World War II. He served "on the line" for more than 600 days in combat, critically supporting the spearhead of the attack. The 636th was attached to the 36th ("T Patch") Infantry Division and served in North Africa and Italy, with landings at Salerno and Anzio and the major engagements at San Pietro, Monte Cassino and the Sele and Rapido Rivers. He participated in the landing in southern France following the liberation of Rome by his battalion and fought in the Vosges Mountains and Alsace region of France. The 636th held the thin right flank during the Battle of the Bulge repulsing the German onslaught of Operation Northwind, the second punch of the Bulge. After crossing the Rhine River at Worms, Germany with General George S. Patton, the 636th fought its way across Germany and Austria. Bob was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for his military service.
Bob returned home to civilian life to marry Vera Hamer on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March, 1946 in O'Neill, NE. To this union four children were born: Robin, Kay, Timothy and Nora. They farmed for 24 years north of Crookston, NE. In 1969, they moved off the farm and retreated to an acreage east of Valentine in the Minnechaduza Canyon. Bob worked for Dr. James Butler for many years as a Veterinary Technician and later for the Cherry County Roads Department as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He retired in 1992 at the age of 73. In December of 2008, Bob and Vera moved from Cherry County to a retirement facility in Omaha, NE in order to be closer to their children. Bob and Vera were blessed with 64 years of life together with Vera passing away May 30, 2010 at age 84.
Bob is best known for his welcoming smile, ready handshake, unstoppable laugh and gift for conversation, which left no one a stranger no matter what the setting. He was an avid reader, curious to learn more about everything, loved fishing, baseball games, gardening, planting trees and tinkering. Valentine residents will long remember the fruit and vegetables that he shared. Bob valued life for the gift from God that it truly is and was able to rise above any adversity he encountered.
Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Bernard and Francis Ryschon and sister, Lois Neece.
He is survived by his children:
Robin (Dennis) Carlson and son Ryan of Omaha, NE, and daughter Katelyn (Justin) Henriksen (Sioux Falls, SD);
Kay Ryschon and daughter Annie of Fort Calhoun, NE;
Tim (Jan) Ryschon and their daughters Kelsey (Chicago, IL) and Heidi (Valentine, NE); and
Nora (Ted) Huscher and their children Andreas and Elise of Lincoln, NE.
sister; Norma Schultz of Valentine; half-sisters; Sharon Kaplan of Bridgeport and Karen Reynolds of Kimballl; step-brothers; Charles Riley of Valentine, Don Riley of Norfolk, and Doug Riley of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; sister-in-law; Neta Egelhoff of Napa, CA, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Some fifty years ago, Bob and Vera committed their hearts and lives to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and were then blessed with the special joy of parenthood. They endeavored to train their children to love God; to be responsible adults and serve mankind; always give their best effort, and to never forget to give the Lord credit for their abilities in life. Bob and Vera never ceased to give thanks for all the Lord gave them.

Robert Edward Ryschon

Visitation 3:00pm-7:00pm, Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Private Internment: Harmony Cemetery

Funeral Service
Thursday, March 1, 2013, 1:00pm
Berean Church, 712 East 7th Street, Valentine, NE
Pastor David Householter officiating