Robert L. McPherson, 79, of Minden, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Good Samaritan Society – St. John's in Kearney. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at First Christian Church in Minden with the Rev. Joe Tira officiating. Military honors will be presented at the church following the service by the Minden American Legion and Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars. Private family interment will be held in the Prairie Center Cemetery at Haven's Chapel north of Kearney. There will be no visitation. Memorials in Robert's honor are kindly suggested to the First Christian Church in Minden. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Robert Lee McPherson was born on October 3, 1942 in Kearney to Lawrence W. and Dorothy L. (Zimmerman) McPherson. Robert lived in Kearney, Kansas City, and Holdrege, primarily on farms north and east of Kearney. He attended Fairview Elementary school and Pleasanton High School where he graduated with the class of 1960.

Robert joined the United States Marine Corps on May 17, 1960, and honorably served his country from May 25, 1960 until May 22, 1964. He attended basic training in San Diego, CA and Infantry Training at Camp San Onofre, CA. He served as Administrative Clerk and Chief Clerk at Camp Pendleton from November 1960 until his discharge in 1964.

Robert lived and worked around Lexington from June 1964 to August 1966. He attended Kearney State College from September 1966 to May 1967. He worked at Rockwell Mfg. in Kearney June through August of 1967. He then moved to Schuyler, NE in August of 1967, where he worked for D&L Mfg. Co. in Columbus, NE until July of 1968. He later worked at Spencer Foods, Inc. in Schuyler from August 1968 until May 1970. Robert then moved to Omaha, NE and worked for Nebraska-Iowa Dressed Beef Co. until February 1993.

He met Sarah Rovetto Manzitto in October 1970. The couple were engaged in January 1971 and married July 10, 1971. She had a child from a previous marriage (Kevin Dale Manzitto). On November 14, 1972, Robert and Sarah were blessed with a daughter (Brenda Lea McPherson). The couple later divorced in October 1982.

Robert began working for the USDA as a Meat Inspector in February of 1993 and retired in February 2009. He retired in Minden, where he attended First Christian Church. During his retirement, he enjoyed helping with children's programs at the church for kids in kindergarten through 7th grade. He helped teach them about Jesus, Bible characters, Bible verses, and hymns sung at church on Sundays.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Melvin Lavenna; siblings, Donald Stephen, Virginia Louise, Lawrence Frank and William Dean.

He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Brock (Dennis Hisey); stepson, Kevin (Julie) Manzitto; grandsons, Ethan Hawke Brock and Tristan Dante Brock; step-granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia Manzitto; and one step-great-grandson, Juniper Grey; sister, Frances Jean; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .