John S. Robish

John Samuel Robish was born on October 15, 1948 to John and Catherine Robish in Philadelphia. He and his younger brother Ronnie grew up on Second Street, two blocks from the Delaware River. He attended Bishop Neumann High School in Philadelphia where he developed a passion for basketball and distance running.

John came to Nebraska to attend Hiram Scott College in Scottsbluff on a basketball scholarship. He did not bring much with him on that first trip, except his Philly accent, which he never really lost. He moved to Omaha his senior year and played basketball for UNO and got a degree in Recreation, which he put to good use for the rest of his life. He made his home in Nebraska and liked it so much that he brought his parents and brother here to enjoy the Good Life he had found. He was the first one in his family to get a college degree.

Anyone who knew John knew he was a man of lots of interests. He loved spending time with his many friends and family. He loved and had a wide knowledge of fishing, hunting, food, plants (especially succulents), Sports, snakes and reptiles and rocks and fossils. He made a mean salsa, had a big garden and was an amazing grill master. Did we mention fishing?

If you got tired of talking to him about Husker football, or fly fishing, you just had to ask him for an update on his son Jonathan. There was no one prouder of a son than John (and with good reason!) He was so happy that Jonathan found a wonderful wife in Sara and he loved the idea having two grandsons close by.

Of course, most everyone knows John loved Reggae music and Bob Marley . If you didn’t get a chance to listen to John’s sound system or latest electronic equipment, you missed out on something special.

John worked for years at Outdoor Kitchen where he became an expert with fireplaces and grills and where he also met his favorite UPS driver. Later he worked for many more years at Iowa/ PPG Paint Store where his knowledge and special charm made him a favorite with customers.

John always had new joke ready to share and had many great stories to tell; you always knew when he arrived. Most of all he was gentle, kind, strong, generous, welcoming and upbeat. He was opinionated but reasonable (at least some of the time). He was a one-of-kind person whose presence will be sorely missed, and whose memory will be cherished always.

John is preceded in death by parents, John and Catherine Robish; brother, Ronald Robish; and Bob Marley. Survived by son, Jonathan (Sara) Robish; grandsons, Caleb and Cole; love of his life, Michaela Neary.



Funeral attendees are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts in honor of John.