Robert Arthur Polland

Robert Arthur Polland was born on August 14, 1943, in Waterloo Nebraska to Bruno and Charlotte (Brooks) Polland. He grew up in the Two Rivers area near Venice, NE where he attended District #24 grade school and graduated from Valley High School in 1963. As a young boy, Bob worked in the family truck garden and continued to be known for his huge tomato plants and green thumb. As Bob got older, he worked at Two Rivers and upon graduation from high school and his 21st birthday, married Judy Ellen Flynn on August 22, 1963. To this marriage, he was blessed with a son and daughter, John Christopher and Tamila Renee. Bob went to barber college in Fremont and opened his first barbershop in Valley in the early 1970’s, which was located next to the NAPA parts store. He later opened the Country Squire Barbershop on Gardiner Street, where he worked cutting hair until late April 2008, when the cancer treatments and pain caused him to close the shop. Bob married Patricia Guenther on May 10, 1980, and together they raised Chris and Tami in Valley, NE. In 1996, they adopted, Anne Rachel Xian Polland and in 1998, Margaret Mary Xiaolei Polland, who are now in middle school. Bob knew many people and enjoyed working and visiting with his customers. He was an active member in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where he spent many hours over the years serving on the church council, the property committee, and was an usher and chief coffee maker for the early service each Sunday morning. Bob did not like to be in the limelight, but certainly enjoyed the celebration held for him on May 18, 2008. Bob enjoyed gardening, fixing just about anything, watching football games (Go Huskers!), puttering around the house and yard (growing tomatoes like a pro), and most of all spending time with his family. Bob passed away on June 26th at home at the age of 64years. He had struggled with Mesothelioma cancer since diagnosis in September 2007. He fought a valiant battle with this disease and continued to spend his last days with his family, who surrounded him with love. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Charlotte, brothers Clarence, Kenneth, and Jerry, as well as sister Mary Jo. Bob is survived by his loving family; wife Pat, son John Christopher, daughter Tamila Bilka and son-in-law Dan Bilka and their son Noah Robert , daughters Annie and Maggie Polland, sister Pat Renter, brother Carl Polland and many extended family member and friends.

Robert Arthur Polland

August 14, 1943 - June 26, 2008