Robert Reist was born to Ed and Pauline (Hildebrand) Reist in rural Nemaha County Kansas, October 7, 1931. He passed away on Thursday  October 22, 2020 in Lincoln. He graduated from Bern High School in Bern, Kansas in 1949. He farmed with his father for three years after which he went to Navy boot camp in San Diego then to Jacksonville, Florida. He served during the Korean War from 1951-55. He attended electronics school in Millington, Tennessee. Robert made a trip around the world with WP1 Aviation Patrol Squadron based at Whidbey Island, Washington. He had enough hours in the air to circle the globe several times and finished his Navy service with squadron VP2 in Kodiak, Alaska .

Robert attended K-State after which he farmed, did carpentry for 10 years, drove semi trucks for Raston Trucking and then worked at Wenger Manufacturing in Sabetha as a buyer for 30 years, retiring in 1999.

He enjoyed helping move nieces and nephews, gardening, plowing neighbors’ gardens, tinkering and lending a hand wherever one was needed.

He is survived by sisters Nedra Eiserman, Nebraska City and Janell Sommerhalder, Steinauer, Nebraska. Nephews and nieces Mark (Renee) Eiserman, Diana (Greg) Yost, Tom (Sue) Eiserman, Sandy (Dan) Radke, Mike (Lori) Eiserman, Elizabeth (Bob) Bania, Sheila (Tom) Lynch, Nancy (John) Harms, Darrell (Tammy) Sommerhalder and Dan (Suzanne) Sommerhalder, and their families.

He was preceded in death by parents Ed and Pauline Reist and brother-in-laws Ronald Eiserman and Howard Sommerhalder.

Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bern Community Center, Bern, Kansas.  Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating.  Private family inurnment at a later date at the Bern Cemetery, Bern, Kansas.  Memorials in lieu of flowers to family choice.  Family request that those attending please wear a mask and practice social distancing.  You can leave condolence on line at www.wh