C. Robert "Bob" Todd
January 6, 1929 - March 8, 2010
C. Robert (Bob) Todd passed away in the evening hours of March 8th at Ponderosa Villa in Crawford surrounded by loving family. As a pastor, the Reverend Todd often preached that death was not a sad event for those that led a long and fulfilling life, and when it brought a merciful end to those in pain. With his reassuring words in mind, let the initial sadness of his passing be comforted by the peace that he now experiences.
Carl Robert Todd was born in Bayard, Nebraska, on January 6, 1929, to Vivian and Carl Todd. The family lived in various locations during the early years of his life, from Colorado to Southern California to the northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Much of his boyhood was spent on his grandparent’s farm near Whitewood, South Dakota. He credited much of his formative influence on his grandmothers, both strong pioneers in the Black Hills area and his mother, who always put family first.
Robert graduated from Sturgis High School in Sturgis, South Dakota, in 1947. He met Dorothy Dodson at a Methodist Youth Fellowship event during high school and they were married in August of 1950. Robert graduated in 1952 from Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Iliff Seminary in Denver, CO, in 1955 and was ordained as a minister in the South Dakota Conference of the Methodist Church. During the early years of their marriage, Robert and Dorothy lived in Edgemont and Oelrichs, SD, where Robert served congregations that included the nearby communities of Pringle, Oral, and Smithwick.
During the time they lived in Oelrichs, Robert began substitute teaching at the local high school, which evolved into a full-time teaching profession. He received a Masters of Teaching Science degree in 1966 from Washington State University in Pullman, WA. In 1963, the family moved to Harrison, Nebraska, where Robert became the science teacher at Sioux County High School, a position that he held until his retirement in 1993, having taught two generations of students from local families. Governor E. Benjamin Nelson appointed him an honorary “Admiral” in the “Great Navy of Nebraska” upon his retirement.
Robert also continued to serve the ministry after moving to Harrison, serving congregations in the Congregational Church in both Crawford and Lusk, Wyoming. Robert’s unique combination of vocations of religion and teaching science were never a source of conflict for him. As modern science probed deeper into the wonders and explanations of our universe, Robert looked at these beautiful and intricate details and saw God’s hand.
Robert is survived by his wife Dorothy of Harrison, daughter Linda Thurman (husband Jeff) of Lincoln, son Larry (wife Jayne) of Calama, Chile, son Wayne of Warren, Oregon, sister Coral Etta Stevens and brother Richard Todd (wife Marjorie) both of Rapid City, SD. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He performed wedding ceremonies and baptisms for many of the above and will be dearly missed by all he touched.
Robert was a member of the Big Sky Shrine Club, the Tehama Shriners, the Samaritan Masonic Lodge, the Scottish and York rites, and the Ivy Leaf Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. In 1994-95 he was the Worthy Grand Patron of the Nebraska Order of Eastern Star.
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Larry's dad experienced several health care issues in the later years of his life. Through that time, he continued to teach to those who paid attention but he did so without saying a word. He taught through example, that even though you may not feel "good," you won't feel any better by making sure that those near you know exactly how uncomfortable you are. He taught that even though you may not feel "good," you continue to greet those near you with a smile, with a "hello" and with a "thank-you." He handled his discomfort with grace and dignity which I'll remember when my time comes to deal with the later years of my life.
We left Calama on Wednesday, March 3, midday. Due to the earthquake in southern Chile, the Santiago airport was not operating normally. We were told by the Freeport representatives dealing with travel arrangements that we could most likely get out of Calama and travel to Santiago; however, they were unable to guarantee when we would be able to leave Santiago to travel to the U.S.
Several of the good people working with Larry decided that the best way for us to get out of Chile was to drive seven hours northwest of Calama to the border community of Arica, Chile. One of the fellows who works with Larry rode with us to, a) bring Larry's truck back to Calama, and b) make sure we experienced no problems crossing the border from Chile to Peru. I've left out a key part of our plan to travel to the U.S. -- we were to cross the border from Chile to the border community of Tacna, Peru, and fly from there to Lima and from there to Miami and from there to Denver at which time we would rent a car and drive the five hours to Northwest Nebraska. It worked! Rodrigo facilitated crossing the Chile/Peru border by first arranging for us to leave Larry's truck in a secure parking area in Arica. He then arranged for travel through a taxi driver who arranged for the processing of the necessary paperwork and delivered us to Tacna -- all for around $30. So, we'd traveled for seven hours by vehicle; arranged for and crossed the Chile/Peru border which took another two hours; arrived at our hotel in Tacna and walked to a Peruvian restaurant where I once again enjoyed Lomo Saltado! Thanks to all the folks in Larry's office at El Abra who came up with the plan and thanks Rodrigo for making sure that any issues related to crossing the border were avoided.
So, with our stomachs full, we got some sleep that night and headed for the Tacna International Airport the following morning bright and early for our 6 a.m. flight to Lima. The rest of our travels the following day went smoothly allowing our arrival in Denver around 9 p.m. We drove up the road for a bit and finally stopped. We arrived in Harrison on Friday around noon.
We were grateful to share Robert's last days with Larry's mom Dorothy, his sister, Linda and Robert's sister, Co.
Following Robert's passing, I was gifted with another lesson: how to be of assistance/service to a family who has lost a loved one. Harrison community members began stopping by immediately with kind words of condolence for the family and words of how Robert had blessed their lives with his. These community members brought by paper plates, cups, cutlery, toilet paper!, napkins, stamps!, food, food and more food and cinnamon rolls! The people in this town know how to bake cinnamon rolls! Robert's sister Co taught me to keep a spiral notebook by the front door to keep track of who brought what for ease in sending thank-you notes after the fact. People can complain about the challenges associated with life in a small town but I must say, the support that that same community provides during times like these is invaluable and treasured.
Nebraska weather held true and provided us with snow and chilly temps upon our arrival which thrilled Larry in that he was once again able to ... shovel!
Robert's sister Co (Coral Etta), Dorothy and Linda.
Linda with her Aunt Coco
Larry's brother Wayne and his daughter Sophia were the first to arrive so we grabbed the opportunity of taking a photo of Sophi with her two aunts on the Todd side of the family.
Wayne and Dorothy
Monday, March 15, arrived - the day to celebrate the life of Robert. Nieces and nephews as well as friends of some of Robert's grandchildren traveled great distances to be present in celebrating Robert's life -- an honor.
(l-r) Lauren (nephew Joel's girlfriend) , Dorothy, Karyl (sitting), Crystal and Elizabeth.
(l-r) Karyl, Elizabeth, Tabitha, Dorothy, Crystal, Kennedy (Crystal's daughter), me, Linda and Lauren.
(l-r) Wayne, Linda, Jeff and Larry
The fellows in the family honored Robert this day by each of them wearing one of Robert's many ties.
Wayne, Linda and Larry
(l-r) Larry's cousin Lora (Sturgis, SD), Marjorie (Robert's brother's wife), Richard (Robert's brother from Rapid City) and Robert's little sister Co (Rapid City)
Dorothy's brother Ronald who traveled with his family from Omaha.
Linda and Jeff's youngest, Tabitha (on the left) and Todd is on the right.
As I put this blog together, I'm well aware of the number of photos I failed to get. My wish would have been to have one of Larry and his brother and sister with Dorothy. I'm also missing a photo of our nephew Joel - not sure how that happened! I regret not getting a photo of Co's son Todd who traveled from Minnesota and Co's two daughters: Sandra (and her family) and Stephanie (and her family) all of whom traveled from the Rapid City area; Dorothy's niece Sandy who traveled from Illinois and a picture of Dorothy's brother's wife Lola and their daughters, Kimberly (from the Washington D.C. area) and Pam (from Omaha); and Dorothy's sister Dee and her daugher Judy and Judy's husband Pat from the Sturgis, SD. area. I'm wondering who I'm forgetting to mention here...ah!, Richard and Marjorie's son Rod who traveled from the Rapid City area.
We made a quick trip to Rapid City and were able to meet with the buddies from there: Brad and Ann and Danny.
And then there is our good friend Virginia who was so helpful and supportive during the difficult time of being so far away - love ya kiddo!
The positive aspect that is a result of the death of a loved one is the gathering of family and friends to celebrate and honor that loved one's life and to give thanks for the blessing of that person influencing our lives in such a positive, loving, caring way. Linda told me that her father would often say, "What did you learn from this?"
Goodbye Robert.
