Robert Penner, 92, of Lincoln, Nebraska died on January 25, 2026 at Northview Assisted Living Center in Lincoln. Born in Halsted, Kansas, he was the son of Henry John and Frances Emma (Bockhaus) Penner. Bob attended school in Halstead graduating in 1952. After graduation, he worked as a Sheet Metal Worker at Cessna Prospect Aircraft Company, Wichita, KS. He enlisted in active duty in the United States Air Force during the Korean War as a Basic Airman earning the Korean Service Medal, United States Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After serving in active duty, he continued to serve in the Air Force as an Airframe Repair Technician until honorably discharged in 1961. After discharge, he worked for Robert’s Dairy and left to join the Lincoln Fire Department and climbed the ranks retiring as Captain in 1983. After retirement with LFD, he moved on to become the Safety Specialist at the VA Medical Center until retirement from the federal government. He then continued to work as a maintenance worker with the Nebraska Parks and Recreation until he decided he needed to slow down but he could never slow down or fully retire, always needing or finding something to do.

Bob married his wife Joanne on September 2, 1955. They resided in Lincoln raising four sons and one daughter until moving to their acreage near Pawnee Lake. Bob built the house and continued to develop the five acres. He would add additions to the home by building a family room, deck and front enclosed porch, as well as anything else that required a nail and hammer.

Bob and Joanne were members of Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church. They were active in their church holding several positions on committees and helping others when needed.

Bob grew up on a farm and learned the ropes of farming, planting and harvesting. He liked to fish but when he came up empty-handed, he would tell the story that he threw them all back. He loved to go out to eat, especially to those places that featured a buffet or had pecan pie on their menu.

Bob is survived by his son Robert (Linda) Penner II of Ellinwood, KS; daughter Terri Higgins (Jim) of Greenville, SC; son Kirk Wheeler; daughter-in-law Deb Wheeler of Lincoln, NE; granddaughters Melanie Wheeler of Lincoln, NE; Kelli Scripsick (Mark) of Ellinwood KS; grandsons Jeremiah Wheeler (Lincoln NE) and Nicholas Higgins (Greenville SC) his grandkids and great grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, sons Kim Wheeler and Dan Wheeler, grandson Japheth Wheeler, parents, brother Wilbert “Bud” Penner and sister Florence Unruh.

Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2026 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2244 N.W. 126th Street, Lincoln with Pastor Jacob Krueger officiating. Inurnment with military honors will be in the church cemtery. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com. Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln.