Robert "Bob" L. Allison

Funeral services for Robert L. “Bob” Allison, age 89, of Norfolk, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk. Reverend Ray Wilke will officiate. Interment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Army National Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post 16, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644.   

The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. 

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. 

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Bob passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Edgewood Omaha Memory Care.

Robert L. “Bob” Allison was born May 19, 1935, in Norfolk, Nebraska to William "Shirley" and Ann (Schroeder) Allison. On April 3, 1962, Bob married the love of his life, Phillis Jean Rabe, in Madison by County Judge Milton Ellwood. They were married for 61 incredible years. The couple was blessed with four children, Reba, Jennifer, Elizabeth, and John. 

Bob was one of seven children, and musical expression became a love for him at an early age. He was self-taught on the guitar, banjo, and piano, and especially enjoyed singing and playing country and gospel music. At age 14, he began playing with his father and brothers in the Rainbow Valley Band. Later, he played for many years in the Allison Brothers Band with his brother Dick, Glen Stone, Mike Semrad, and many other musicians through the years. Bob, along with his band members, were inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

During the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Bob brought many shows and big-name entertainers to the Norfolk City Auditorium, including the Oak Ridge Boys and Collin Raye, as well as an especially memorable outdoor show in 1993, featuring Johnny Cash in a field South of Northeast Community College. From 1982 to 1988, he promoted live music, stage performances, and movies exclusively at Norfolk's iconic Granada Theater, which included performances by Tammy Wynette, Ray Price, Boxcar Willie, Little Jimmie Dickens, Johnny Paycheck, Doc Severinsen, The Ozarks Country Jubilee, and Janna Jae.

Bob was also very skilled in carpentry, building multiple homes in the Norfolk area, and owned a paint and drywall business. He and his brothers started Allison Brothers Construction and were instrumental in founding the Berry Hill addition in Norfolk.

Bob was a life-long Nebraska Cornhuskers football fan and loved spending time at Memorial Stadium with his family. In later years, he discovered an innate interest and talent for wood carving, producing many fine carvings for his family and friends. He and Phillis owned an acreage in Bazile Mills, Nebraska, which became a labor of love and family gathering place, leading to some of their most treasured memories. Bob and Phillis were members of Grace Lutheran Church for over 60 years, and they sang in the Grace Choir. He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1964.

He is survived by his children, Reba (Monte) Middleton of Norfolk, Jennifer (Troy) Huisenga of Spencer, IA, Elizabeth Briardy (Mike Gregory) of Blair, and John (Elvira) Allison of Corpus Christi, TX; 10 grandchildren; six great- grandchildren; sister, Betty Allison; sister-in-law, Irene Allison; and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phillis; brothers, John Allison, Chuck (Hazel) Allison, and Richard “Dick” (Millie) Allison; and sisters, Mary (Delbert) Forsyth, and Shirley (Randall) Baker.

Memorials are requested to the Orphan Grain Train.

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