Robert Nitsch

Robert George "Bob" Nitsch, 80, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, at the Monticello House in Jackson.

He was born Aug. 1, 1927, in Jackson, son of George and Amanda Hartung Nitsch. He and Gladys Thompson were married Sept. 23, 1951, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Bob graduated from Jackson High School in 1944. He was a diversified farmer who loved raising cattle and field crops. He was a longtime member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, an usher for many years, a past member of the Methodist Men's Club and was a former member as well as chairman of the board of trustees.

He was a lifelong farmer and very active in the local farm committees, bureaus and boards. He was past president of the Southeast Missouri District Fair Board, as well as serving as a board member more than 20 years, concession chairman 12 years, a member of the Advisory Fair Board and superintendent of Field Crops Division 15 years prior to becoming a board member.

He was past president of and served on several committees for the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau, past president of and served two terms on the board of the MAFF (Missouri Association of Fairs and Festivals), and was past president of Cape County Shipping Association, Cape County Pork Producers and Jackson Co-op Service Center.

Bob served on the building committee for the Cape Girardeau County University Extension Office, 10 years on the Extension Council and nine years on the ASCS County Committee.

He was the recipient of: Hall of Fame Award from the MAFF Board in January 2000, Leaders Honor Roll Award from Cape Girardeau County University of Missouri Extension, Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and Outstanding Volunteer Award from Southeast Missouri District Fair and Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau Friend of Farmer Award in 2004.

In 1967 Bob was named Missouri Corn Growing Champion. In 2002 he was inducted into the Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for playing on local baseball teams for many years.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years; two daughters and a son, Donna Stovall of Jefferson City, Mo., Kevin (Brenda) Nitsch of Rochester, N.Y., Darla (Mark) Hemmann of Chesterfield, Mo.; a brother, Bill Nitsch of Sedgewickville, Mo.; and six grandchildren, Logan and Erin Stovall, Daniel, David and Samuel Nitsch, and Parker Hemmann.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Nitsch.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. John Rice and Jimmie Corbin officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to New McKendree UMC in Jackson or the memorial of your choice, in lieu of flowers.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.