Robert "Bob" Kutilek

Bob Kutilek, 85, passed away on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at his home in Grand Island.



Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, May 7th at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Martin Egging will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery at a later date.



Visitation and rosary will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday prior to the services. There will be a lunch served following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Blessed Sacrament Church.

Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family.



Bob was born June 12, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska to Emil and Ann (Cerveny) Kutilek. In June of 1944, the family moved to Columbus, Nebraska. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1954 and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1958 with a BS from the College of Business Administration. After completing ROTC in college and his graduation from UNL, he entered the U. S. Army as a commissioned office.



On October 18, 1958, Bob was united in marriage to Catherine A. Goering from Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. To this marriage four daughters and one son were born: Janice (Berry Mapes) Kutilek of Grand Island, Karen (Greg) Melsen of Grand Island, Ann (Dan) McGowan of Kearney, Mary (Jim) Niemeier of Friend, and Jeffrey (Susan) Kutilek of Lincoln. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.



Upon discharge from the Army, Bob worked for Becton-Dickinson & Company, a manufacturing company of medical and pharmaceutical instruments, as a production control manager at the Columbus plant and later as material control manager at the Holdrege plant. In 1981, the family moved to Grand Island where Bob Started his own insurance agency. He remained in the insurance business until his retirement.



Bob enjoyed sports having played all sports while in high school. In his adult life he loved playing golf. He also enjoyed the game of bridge. He joined the American Contract Bridge League, served as president and club manager of the local club and was elected president of the Nebraska Unit of ACBL serving in this position for three years. He achieved the playing rank of Ruby Life Master. Bob was active in the youth baseball program in Grand Island serving on the Little League board for six years, the last three as the president. He also served on the American Legion baseball board for two years.