Robert E. Jatczak

Robert Edmond Jatczak

John 21:3, "I am going out to fish."

Robert "Bob" Jatczak, age 87, was born a proud Michigander on December 8, 1937 in Bay City, Michigan, the oldest child of Edmond and Gertrude (Kensa) Jatczak. He enlisted in the Army National Guard of the State of Michigan at the age of 17 and a year later enlisted into active service with the Air Force. He trained at Lackland Air Force Base and Chanute Air Force Base prior to being assigned to the 307th Air Refueling Bombardment Wing, Lincoln Air Force Base, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Temporary duty assignments took Bob to Newfoundland, Greenland, England and the Azores. He was assigned to fly on KC-97 Stratotankers, the air refueling planes servicing the Strategic Air Command. As a crew chief and Airman 2nd Class E-3 Bob was responsible for the safe operation of the plane and its payload, the in-air hook-ups of the refueling boom, fuel dumps and boom releases. Bob honorably completed his active Air Force duty in 1960 but continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until 1963.

Still living in Lincoln, Bob joined the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) in 1962 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He assumed many responsibilities for the LPD but most enjoyed his time as a motorcycle officer and helicopter patrol commander. While working for the LPD Bob graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Advancements in his career took him to Broken Bow, Kearney and finally to Alliance in 1988 where he served as Chief of Police in those three communities. He retired from law enforcement in 1999 after 37 years of service. Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Bob then worked part-time in various capacities for the State of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission until 2024 when health challenges became too great.

Bob's professional affiliations included the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Officers Association of Nebraska where he served on the Board of Directors and was President from 1984 to 1985, and the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. He also gave his time and talents to the Red Cross and Youth Development Center Boards, both in Kearney; The South Central Community Mental Health Center Advisory Board, the University of Nebraska Kearney Foundation, the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation, the Kearney Police Retirement Committee, Keep Alliance Beautiful Board, Panhandle Special Olympics volunteer, Alliance Habitat for Humanity construction team and Board, Alliance Public Schools Foundation Board, and St. Agnes Academy Foundation. Bob's Catholic faith provided him great strength and comfort throughout his life. He was a faithful parishioner no matter where life took him and embraced Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Alliance as his final parish family.

Bob was an extremely proud "Pops", "Father", "Papason", "Dad", "Papa" to the five children he had with his first wife, Darlene (Kucera) Jatczak, whom he married in 1960. Carrying on his legacy are Barbara (Pete) Sagmiller of Spring, Texas; Mark (Kim) Jatczak of Papillion, Nebraska; John (Heather) Jatczak of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts; Matthew Jatczak of League City, Texas; and Julie (Jimmie) Hart of Golden, Colorado. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Tracy (Sisler Baer) Jatczak, and two step children: Brian (Jessica) Baer of Kearney, Nebraska and Leslie (Court) Cook of Gering, Nebraska. Bob was blessed with 17 grandchildren who survive him, including: Jason Sagmiller, Ashley Taylor, Kari Sagmiller, Ryan Sagmiller, Ashley Johnson, Amber Kloeckl, Luke Jatczak, Nathan Jatczak, Noelle Jatczak, Olivia Jatczak, Liam Jatczak, Jake Jatczak, Addy Hart, McKenna Baer, Joie Galaska, Lily Cook and Riley Cook. The growing number of great grandchildren includes Diesel, Channing, Chase, Lanie, Cole, Eliana, Kaden, Bennet, Cooper, Emma, plus two more on the way. There are numerous nieces and nephews who will miss their favorite uncle. Bob is also survived by his two sisters, Darlene Birrell of Lorton, Virginia and Karen (Don) Kossick of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and his sister-in-law, Rebecca Sisler, of Lacey, Washington. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Edmond and Gertrude, his brother Arthur Jatczak and Arthur's wife Diane, his brothers-in-law Vernon Birrell and James Sisler, grandson in-law Aaron Taylor, his mother-in-law, Ruth Sisler, and his first wife Darlene.

Bob's love of fishing and the great outdoors was well known to those who knew and loved him. He could swap fish tales with the best of them and was always thinking about the next best fishing hole. Along with Tracy, he was a frequent traveler to Alaska where they would fill their freezer with salmon and halibut and just marvel at the majesty of Alaska. There is a rumor going around that Bob made it into heaven via a side trip to Alaska.

The last year of Bob's life was difficult. He received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in November 2024 on top of a diagnosis of colorectal cancer that he had beaten a year earlier. In 2025 alone he endured nine rounds of chemotherapy, two emergency surgeries, and a fractured hip from a fall. Ultimately the cancer overwhelmed his body and Bob passed into eternity on November 9, 2025, in his own bed and surrounded by loved ones.

The family is immensely grateful for the kindness and care Bob received from everyone at Box Butte General Hospital, Sidney Regional Medical Center, Morrill County Community Hospital and Home Health, and Brookestone Hospice. The financial support received from Jane's Closet was instrumental in getting Bob to and from cancer treatment. Last but not least, Bob and Tracy were showered with love and support from friends and family and it is forever written on their hearts.

A date for funeral services, interment at the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Alliance and a celebration will be set in the coming months to allow for family attendance.

In lieu of flowers or plants the family suggests donations to St. Agnes Academy Foundation, Holy Rosary Catholic Church Building Fund, Jane's Closet, or Police Officer's Association of Nebraska.