Robert "Bob" Kallio

1951 - 2026

Robert 'Bob' Kallio joined our Lord on January 6th of this year.

Bob was born on February 20, 1951, in Hancock, Mich. to Lauri and Martha Kallio. He was the youngest of three children, Terry was his oldest brother, then his sister Laura. In grade school, Bob's family moved to Fremont, Neb. where he graduated from FHS in 1969. After graduation, Bob attended SECC in Milford where he studied to be a Draftsman. Not long into his second semester Bob was turning 20 (on the 20th) and drew the #20 in the draft, so he joined the Air Force. After military training was complete, he married Vanessa Gallatin and the two moved to Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan. They spent over three years there before returning to Fremont to start their family in 1974. Together they had four children: Alex, Bethany, Jared, and Micah.

Bob worked a variety of jobs after returning home but by far the best was helping his dad create Midstates Classic Cars & Parts, Inc. This was a brainstorm of Lauri's but Bob took it to the next level. They moved the family to Hooper, Neb. and bought a property to fully realize the Cobra business. Bob ran the business for over 20 years, selling Cobras to happy customers all over the world. These customers became friends and those friends became like family to him. Bob loved what he did but after the kids had grown and his father had passed it was time to move on. Bob and Vanessa eventually ended up in Lincoln, Neb. to be around their grandkids.

After arriving in Lincoln, he found his calling as the Marketing Director at the Legacy Terrace. With Bob's love for people and his ability to care, he fit right in. He stayed with the Legacy Retirement Communities for eight years before retiring and remained friends with many for life!

When Bob was young, he developed a love for motorcycles and in high school was a member of the MC Club 'The Barons.' He continued to ride a Harley most of his life where he had many campouts and trips with friends. Bob loved his wife, his children, and especially his grandchildren and granddogs. He also loved the Lord and joined many telephone prayer groups. Bob participated in AA where he joined a number of AA events and helped to sponsor others.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vanessa; his children, Alex (Jen) Kallio, Bethany (Jason) Meyer, Jared (Rachel) Kallio, and Micah Kallio; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Maya, Elayna and Maggie Kallio, Treyton and Ellison Meyer, Sophia, Hattie, Nell, and Jack Chavanu, and Kinsley and Myla Kallio; sister, Laura; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Stan) Freeman, Sandy Gallatin; and brother-in-law, Kevin (Traci) Gallatin; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A 'Celebration of Life' will be held Sunday, January 18th, at 3 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fremont, Neb. This is a casual gathering for Bob celebrating all the things that he loved. A light lunch will be served afterwards.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Capital Humane Society or ALL for Christ International.