Robert A Wilkinson of North Platte passed away May 29, 2026, at the age of 75. Bob was born on April 5, 1951, to Calvin Leon and Marseleen (Pursley) Wilkinson in Stratton, NE. His family moved to Benkelman and returned back to Stratton where he graduated from high school. At a young age, he began working for a rancher north of Benkelman then at Craw Implement in Stratton. In 1972, he began a 30-year career at Union Pacific Railroad as a machinist and advanced to a mechanical supervisor.

He married his high school sweetheart, Lynda Stehno, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stratton, Nebraska. They began their life together in North Platte. Seeking a smaller community, they moved to rural Hershey where they lived for 25 years before returning to North Platte. Their two daughters, Lori and Leslie, were the pride and joy of his life. He was extremely proud of all they accomplished. He was also a proud grandpa to three granddaughters and a proud great-grandpa to five great-grandsons. The arrival of a great-granddaughter brought him even greater joy. He really loved each one of them.

Motorcycling and camping were his favorite hobbies. Many motorcycle rides took Bob and Lynda on many adventures through all 50 states, the Canadian provinces and Mexico, racking up over 400,000 miles. Gold Wings were his preference but did settle for a Harley on the Island of Hawaii. His garage was a gathering place for fellow motorcycle riders to deck out their motorcycles or recount their many adventures. Many precious friendships were formed throughout his motorcycle trips and his association with the Gold Wing Touring Association. He had many geocaching adventures that would take him and fellow geocachers on trips around the country. When Lynda retired, they traveled to Arizona in the winter and the Black Hills in the summer forming lasting friendships. Upon retiring his motorcycle, he took up four-wheeling around Nebraska, Arizona, and the Black Hills. He was a reluctant tag-along on many of Lynda’s hikes in the mountains and the Black Hills. He also treasured his many hunting adventures with his railroad buddies and son-in-law. As many knew, Bob always had a story to tell.

To keep busy after his retirement, he volunteered with RSVP and transported veterans to the VA clinic in Grand Island. He also became a Red Cross Disaster Responder. In 2012, he went to work at Hart Ranch RV Resort in the Black Hills working in Grounds, Security and then the Hart Mart. He met many treasured friends at Hart Ranch during his ten-year tenure.

Unbeknownst to many, he gallantly and silently battled many challenging health related issues starting in 2016. Bob’s final wishes were to donate life to others through Live On Nebraska.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 54 years, Lynda; daughters, Lori (Pat Alvarez) and Leslie Wilkinson of Bellevue, NE; granddaughter, MacKenzie (Chris Anderson) and children, Rawlins and Harlan of Treynor, IA; granddaughter Sydnee Penaherrera and children, Gabriel, Deacon, Kingston, and Adeline of Elkhorn, NE; granddaughter, Yizrael Alvarez of Bellevue, NE; sister, Candy Reichert of Warrensburg, MO; siblings-in-law, Karen and Ken Stute of Holdrege, Pat Stehno of Stratton, Jan and Gary Faimon of Perry, KS, Anita and Gerard Pochop of Atwood, KS; uncle, John Pursley; aunt, Mary Emma Maris; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog buddy of 14 years, Sophie.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Calvin Leon and Marseleen Wilkinson; brothers-in-law, Larry Reichert and Frank Stehno; and parents-in-law, Raymond and Adeline Stehno.

Memorials are suggested to Great Plains Health Callahan Cancer Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Vidya Sagar Arikotla as Celebrant. Christian Wake services and rosary will be held prior to mass at 10:00 AM. Inurnment will take place at the Holy Spirit Columbarium. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, who is assisting the family with arrangements.