Robert Livesey

Bob was born on March 16, 1922 in Omaha, NE the son of George Andrew Livesey and Betsey Elizabeth Nyman. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1939 and graduated from Benson High School in 1940. He then reported aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for duty in July, 1940; participated in WWII naval engagements in the Coral Sea, Midway Island, Savo Island at Guadalcanal and the Attu and Kiska Island campaigns in the Aleutian Islands. He also served on patrol and rescue craft stationed at Dutch Harbor, Alaska until receiving an honorable discharge on October 1, 1945. Six days later he married Naomi Ruth Kingsbury of Council Bluffs, Iowa, whom he had met on leave in 1944.



After they established their home in Omaha, Bob started a long career with the Corps of Engineers working on the Missouri River basin dams and navigation projects. After schooling at the University of Omaha, he passed an examination for a professional Civil Engineer rating, was accepted as a member of American Society of Civil Engineers. During his career he became recognized as an authority in the special field of Sedimentation Engineering, and served as consultant to other Corps offices and as guest lecturer at training courses and schools. He is the author of many technical reports and papers.



Bob retired in July, 1977 and he and Naomi moved to Mesa, AZ where they lived 17 years, traveling the USA in their Airstream trailer. During this period they also started their continuing efforts in genealogical research. Bob was a meticulous record keeper, and wrote his autobiography “Snapshots of my Life” chronicling his childhood and Navy career. He was a man of many hobbies: ham radio operator, fine woodworking, golf, photography, and perfected the art of gem cutting, crafting many beautiful jewelry pieces. He was an avid reader, loved nature and treasured the companionship of their pets.



They returned to Omaha in 1994 and then to Deerfield Retirement Community, Urbandale Iowa in 2006. Bob was appreciated by friends and family for his wise counsel, patience and humble manner.



He was preceded in death by his wife Naomi, parents, and sister Mary Jane Iverson. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Holt of Dallas, TX, and several nieces and nephews



Services:

Tuesday 10:30 AM at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, Pacific Street Chapel, 14151 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154



Visitation:

Tuesday 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM, at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, Pacific Street Chapel, 14151 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154



Interment:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park



Memorials:

Suggested to the Nebraska Humane Society.