Robert (Bob) E. Hammack, 85, of Morrill lost his battle to cancer and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at his home surrounded by his loving daughters.  A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 29, at the MorrillMethodistChurchwith Pastor Rick Reisig officiating.  Interment will follow at ForestLawnCemeteryin Morrill.  Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. Friday, December 28 at the Jones Mortuary in Mitchell with family members present from 6-7p.m.  Memorials may be made to the Morrill Fire Dept. or Festival of Hope.  Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jones-mortuary.com.  Many knew Bob as “The Chief.”

Bob was born on April 19, 1927 in Morrill to Amos and Margaret (Bleigh) Hammack and lived in the valley all of his life.  Bob married Bette L. Emerson in Morrill and from this union, had five daughters. After the loss of Bette in 1997, he remarried to Ruth Johnson in 2003.

In 1949, he started working for John R. Jirdon Industry, Inc. and later became Vice President of Transportation and Feed. When the company changed hands, he worked for Cargill and retired in 1991.

In 1951, Bob joined the Morrill Vol. Fire Dept.  He held many positions in the dept. and in 1965 became the Fire Chief and held this position until his death.  He took his membership very seriously and was a driving force in the ongoing effort to provide fire protection and quality emergency care to all the citizens and travelers.  The Chief strongly insisted all his firemen to improve their skills through training. Bob received numerous Firemen’s awards.  Many countless hours were given to better the dept. and encouraged others to become involved.  He enjoyed driving the vintage Fire Dept.’s 1931 Model A Ford Fire truck in area parades. 

Bob had many interests but his greatest love was his family and “his” Fireman.  Bob was an avid Husker fan.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his daughters and their husbands, Debbi (Tom) Gatti of Smithfield, Va., Linda Hammack of Scottsbluff, Barb Faulkner (fiancé’ Ted Ross) of Morrill, Becky (Dale) Nerud of Scottsbluff, and Suzie Hammack of Morrill; grandchildren, Jason (Stephanie) Gatti of Frederick, Md., Allison (Walter) Barlow of Smithfield, Va., Courtney (Derek) Pattinson of Scottsbluff, and Nathan Faulkner of Morrill; three great-grandchildren,  Andrew and Amanda Barlow of Smithfield, Va. and Madeline Gatti of Frederick, Md; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bette of 47 years; brothers and sisters; and second wife, Ruth.