Robert "Bob" Loewenstein Jr.

Robert "Bob" Loewenstein Jr.

February 6, 1948 – January 30, 2024

Robert "Bob" Loewenstein Jr., 75, of Grand Island passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate. Burial will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family requests that donations be made to his family for designation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

He was born on February 6, 1948 in Kearney, NE to Robert Lee Loewenstein Sr. and Beverly Ann Johnson.

The family moved to Grand Island when Bob was two years old. He was a star athlete in football and track at Grand Island Senior High School, graduating in 1966.

Bob received a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming, which he attended his freshman year. But he said it was too cold and too remote for him and began his sophomore year at San Diego State in California.

In the summer of 1969, at the age of 21, he suffered a spinal cord injury after diving from a pier into Clear Lake in northern California. He was left a quadriplegic. After 6 months of hospitalization at Rancho Los Amigos hospital and then care in the home of his father, he moved back to San Diego where he continued his education at San Diego State where he received his Master's Degree in Counseling. After college, he began his career in counseling in Los Angeles, CA.

He moved back to Grand Island in 1975 and became a youth counselor for teens. He also was a member of the City Council, a board member of the Nebraska Humane Society and Senior Citizens. He coached ladies' softball, where he met his beloved wife, Cindy Edwards. He won a landmark lawsuit against the state after which a handicapped coach was allowed to be on the field. He was instrumental in development of Alternative Education at Grand Island Senior High School.

Bob began his hobby of raising and breeding miniature donkeys on his home property called Sunset Acres.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Cindy (married on 48987) who cared for him and his donkeys and properties so well that he was able to live comfortably at home until his death.

Bob is also survived by his siblings, Cindy Taylor, Rich Loewenstein, 14 nieces and nephews and 18 great-nieces and nephews; dear friend, Mary Ann Richards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Ron Loewenstein.