Robert Lingenfelter

Funeral services for Robert “Bob” Lingenfelter age 70 of Plainview will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 3rd at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Plainview.  Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. Sunday February 2nd at the Congregational Church. A Luncheon will be served at Mary’s Café’ following the Church Service.  Bob passed away January 29, 2025.

Robert Newton Lingenfelter was born September 1, 1954 to Nancy and Raymond (Mike) Lingenfelter in Norfolk Nebraska. He was the first of 5 children followed by Bruce, Beth, Brian and Burton. They lived on a farm West of Plainview where Bob attended country school until the 4th grade, after which he finished his primary education at Plainview Public Schools. Bob participated in football, basketball, wrestling, track and baseball. He was the state runner up heavyweight wrestler in 1972 and also held the school record for shot put and discus at the time of his graduation. His brother Burt later broke his discus record and Burt still holds the discus record at Plainview high school. Bob participated in Chorus and was a member of the FFA. He was later inducted into the Plainview High School Hall of Fame in 2021.

Bob was baptized and confirmed in the United Church of Christ in Plainview, Nebraska.  He was an active member of the congregation his entire life participating in all church activities including but not limited to singing in the choir, acting as a deacon, and occasionally serving as interim pastor.

Bob graduated from Plainview High School in the spring 1972 in a class of 72 (largest ever graduating class at Plainview). He then participated in the Nebraska Shrine bowl that summer and was awarded most valuable Defensive player. Following the Shrine Bowl Bob reported that fall to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) as he was awarded a scholarship to play football for the then defending National Champion Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was in a great recruiting class, the last class recruited by Coach Bob Devany, and played for the legendary Coach Tom Osborn. Bob earned second team all conference honors in 1975 and was a preseason All American and first team all conference in 1976. Bob left Nebraska with a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Economics. He was later inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in the fall of 2006.

In the spring of 1977 he was drafted to play in the NFL by the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland was a long way from home but he found peace in knowing Plainview was just a drive down Highway 20. One evening Bob and a teammate, who was also a farm kid, set out to find a gravel road in Ohio. As the sun came up the next morning, they remained unsuccessful in their quest for a dirt road. Bob was then traded to the Minnisota Vikings where he played for another legendary coach, Bud Grant. Bob was happy to be closer to home and playing for his all time favorite NFL team. Football was always a job he focused on because he was good at it, but his heart longed to be back in Plainview on the farm. Bob saw an opportunity to come home when his father fell ill so he abruptly left the Vikings and started his next chapter at home in Plainview.

Bob was among a group of local farmers seeking a veterinarian to serve their area. Their search reached a young Kansas State University student who visited Plainview with the possibility of starting a practice after graduation. The two ended up becoming good friends. Doc was dating a girl from K-State who came to visit one weekend with a friend, Julie Anne Navrat. Julie and Bob began dating and on February 20th of 1982, Bob married the love of his life.

Bob and Julie started farming together in 1982 on land they rented from his Aunt Jean.  They raised oats, rye and soybeans their first year. They expanded the operation to include farrow to finish hogs, beef cattle, and other row crops. The good Lord soon blessed them with healthy children, all of whom grew up and graduated in Plainview.

Along with farming, raising livestock, and four children, Bob worked as a Commodities Broker for Midwest Futures and presented the markets on the radio every day for more than 20 years. His “radio” was a piece of his life right up to his last day. He enjoyed following the markets and watching the weather and was passionate about production agriculture. He loved his hometown and Plainview athletics. He even coached young athletes in soccer…of all sports. As his life slowed down you could find Bob at every Plainview athletic event he could attend. He would frequently say, “Where else can you get this kind of entertainment this cheap?” He cheered on and motivated young athletes and was a huge supporter of youth sports. Another large piece of his life was interacting with his grandchildren. Along with frequent calls and texts, he took every opportunity he had to travel to see his grandkids in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.

On January 29, 2025 Bob spent the day hauling corn with his brothers. When the day was done he decided to take a drive around the farm as he had done so many times in the past. At 7:37pm his watch called 911 alerting first responders that his big heart had stopped. He passed away peacefully on a gravel road, almost directly between the house he grew up in and the house he raised his family in.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Dr. Leonard Navrat, his sister Beth Lingenfelter, his nephew Andrew Lingenfelter, and his granddaughter Isabella Goforth.

Bob is survived by his wife Julie, his children Newton (wife Megan), Rachel (husband Austin Goforth), Harrison (wife Stephanie), and Jacob (girlfriend Emily Pelster), as well as 8 grandchildren with another on the way. He is also survived by his siblings Bruce, Brian, and Burt Lingenfelter.