John "Bob" Robert Vollmer

John Robert "Bob" Vollmer

John Robert "Bob" Vollmer of Lusk passed away in his sleep Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, at age 96, following a brief illness.

He was born March 28, 1916 in Lusk to MP and Mabel (Riley) Vollmer. He had four sisters: Mabel, Helen, Alice and Shirley; and two brothers: Frank and Pat. He married Rita Reasoner in June 1942, and to this union two sons were born: John and Tim. This marriage ended in divorce. He married Evelyn Liberty July 4, 1947, at Lance Creek, WY. To this marriage three children were born: Cindy, Milton, and George. He married Dolores Meyer Aug. 24, 1995, in Lusk.

He attended Lusk schools. He completed a correspondence course to become a certified electrician. In school he became an accomplished diver. He attended camp in Colorado Springs to become a lifeguard. He managed the Lusk swimming pool for a number of years.

He became a member of the Lusk Volunteer Fire Department while still in high school. He served with the department for 62 years. He served as both Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief. He and Evelyn, along with other members of the department, completed EMT Training and served as EMTs for the community for several years.

Bob loved the scouting program and was involved for over 80 years. He was the first Eagle Scout in Lusk, receiving the award in 1933. He was scout master for many years, influencing many boys' lives and encouraging many to become Eagle Scouts. Bob was tapped into the Order of the Arrow. He served in other positions in scouting, including troop and district committees. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the scouting council for distinguished contributions to the community. In his later years, he still talked to the Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts about the scouting program and its importance.

Bob enlisted in the army in the fall of 1940 and was assigned to Company C of the 116th Quartermaster, 41st Division. He advanced to Master Sergeant. He traveled through the USA setting up maintenance shops and assembly lines in 46 of the 48 states. In December of 1942 he was sent to England and was in charge of the maintenance operations at Headquarters and Headquarters Company 624th Automotive Maintenance, under the Allied Spring Command. He was discharged in the fall of 1945.

Upon returning to Lusk, Bob worked in the Vollmer Garage and Machine Shop with his father. Bob moved the shop to the old Ford Dealership showroom in 1969, eventually adding the automotive spring business to the shop and Big A Auto Parts. He hired many of the kids in high school to work odd jobs around the shop. Many of the boys will tell you that Bob gave them their first job.

Bob also loved to do woodworking, building toys for his children and cabinets and other items. He built a working scale model of the oil fields at Lance Creek, which is on display at the Lusk Museum. He also restored toys and other items from his childhood for family members.

One of his favorite pastimes was his gardens and his house plants, trying new plants frequently. He had many beautiful flowers in his yard and enjoyed picking flowers for friends. In later years, as his health declined, he built raised gardens on stilts so he could move his cart around and still tend his garden.

Bob enjoyed telling stories about old days in Lusk and the stories his father told about living on the Sisseton Indian Reservation of South Dakota. Many of his stories were printed in the Lusk Herald and may be found at the Lusk Library. Many of his friends commented that they loved to sit and listen to these stories and considered him a great historian.

Bob is survived by his wife, Dolores, of Lusk; sons, John (Connie) of Aloha OR, Tim of Missoula, MT., and Milton (Susan) of Rice Lake, WI; and daughter, Cindy (Lyle) Rathbun of Kennewick, WA; brother Pat from Willow Springs, MO; and sister Shirley Ahl of Rawlins, WY; nine grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn in 1995; former wife Rita in 2003; son George in 1960; brother Frank in 2010; and sisters Mabel Brown in 2000, Helen Heminger in 2006, and Alice Blair in 1993.

Rosary will be held Wed., Aug. 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Lusk, with viewing afterward until 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thurs., Aug 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo's, with interment in the Lusk Cemetery following services. Graveside services will be given by Lusk Elks Lodge #1797, and military honors will be by the Wyoming National Guard.

Father Louis Shea will officiate. Pallbearers will be members of Scout Troop 116 of Lusk. Honorary pallbearers will be members and wives of the Lusk Fire Department. After graveside services, a lunch will be served for family and friends at the Elks Lodge.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lusk Fire Department or the Boy Scouts of America, or any organization of the donors choice in lieu of flowers.

Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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