Robert "Bob" Nicholas Klein

*** Online condolences may be left at www.allfaiths.com. Arrangements and funeral services were made with All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island, NE ***

Robert Nicholas Klein was called home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2025. Robert was born on February 8, 1938, to Nicholas and Alice Klein in Bellwood, Nebraska. He was raised on a farm ½ mile from David City, Nebraska.

He attended grade school at Saint Mary's and high school at David City High, then went on to the University of Nebraska, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree and later a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics. He trained to be an Extension Agent between his junior and senior years in college at the Dodge County Extension Service in Fremont, Nebraska. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in 1960, he accepted a position as an Extension Agent in Douglas County (Omaha), where he worked for two years before enrolling in graduate school.

On June 5, 1963, he married Janet Elizabeth Knust of Omaha, Nebraska, the love of his life. In August 1963, he became the Extension Agent Chairman in Red Willow County, Nebraska, where he worked for 20 years. During his tenure in Red Willow County, he received several awards, including the United States Department of Agriculture Superior Service Award, Distinguished Service Awards from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, the Agriculture Builder Award from the Greater McCook Area Chamber of Commerce, and a month-long trip to the Orient and Southeast Asia, from Red Willow County businesses, farm organizations, and service clubs.
He was also a member of the Nebraska Air Guard in Lincoln and rose to the rank of Sergeant.
After his twenty years as Extension Agent in Red Willow County, he became a Cropping Systems Specialist for the University of Nebraska Western Central Research and Extension Center, with his office in North Platte. His work included, both as an Extension Agent and Specialist, the development and implementation of Ecofarming. He always defined this as a system of controlling weeds and managing crop residues throughout a crop rotation with minimal use of tillage, in order to reduce soil erosion and production costs, while increasing weed control, water infiltration, moisture conservation, and crop yield.

His awards as a Specialist included the National Award for Agricultural Excellence, the Cooperative Extension Service Distinguished Extension Specialist Award, inclusion in Who's Who in Agricultural Education, election to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement, and being named a Fellow of the North Central Society of Weed Science.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, Nicholas Klein; his mother, Alice Klein, both of David City, Nebraska; and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean (John) Kosch of Loveland, Colorado, and Maxine (Virgil) Vrbka of David City, Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter Kimberly (Dan) Petsch of Grand Island, Nebraska; son Kendall (Madonna) Klein of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren Nicholas Petsch of Grand Island, and Kaylee Petsch of Omaha, Nebraska; Noah, Hope, and Evan Klein of Omaha, Nebraska; one sister, Sr. Rose Klein of Wichita, Kansas; and two brothers, George (Emily) Klein of Chadron, Nebraska, and Ronald Klein of Norfolk, Nebraska.

Robert enjoyed his work and loved his family. His hobbies included gardening, fishing, hunting, water skiing, jet skiing, camping, golfing, and traveling. We will miss Bob.

Janet and her family suggest memorials be made to the Lincoln Connection Homeless Shelter.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a Rosary following, at All Faiths Funeral Home on Thursday, March 27, 2025. 
Services are as follows: Burial will take place in Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery at David City, Nebraska, in Lot 18, following the luncheon.