Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Bob Armstrong dies

The Armstrong name is well known around Chadron and western Nebraska. It dates back to the coming of Ross and Ruby Armstrong to Chadron during the early 1930s, and the standout athletic teams coached by Ross at Chadron State College. Of course the Armstrong Center at CSC is named for Ross Armstrong.

Old-timers will also remember Robert “Bob” Armstrong, Armstrong’s son and a standout athlete at Chadron Prep in the 1940s and 1950. He also excelled in sports at CSC and was inducted into the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bob Armstrong died last week (10/30) in Tucson, Arizona, where he and his wife, Jerry (Hirchert), made their home. He was 75.

After teaching and coaching for 10 years in Carson City, Nevada, Bob taught at the University of Arizona and then founded a computer software company. He and his wife had three daughters, Karen, Kristi, and Kathie, who also survive. They are show (left-to-right) in this 2006 photo below with Jerry and Bob, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Armstrongs have been staunch supporters of Chadron State College for many years, often hosting events in their Arizona home.

According to Mike Smith and Con Marshall, who were kind enough to send us this information, a memorial service for Bob Armstrong will be at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (11/5) in the Student Center at CSC. A reception will be held in the Armstrong Gymnasium following the memorial service.