Robert H. Warburton

February 14, 1931 - October 17, 2016

ROBERT H. "BOB" WARBURTON, 85 of Ogallala, passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 at the Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala. Bob was born February 14, 1931 at Devil's Lake, ND to Stanley F. and Flora T. (Nero) Warburton. Bob graduated from Central High School in Devil's Lake with the class of 1949. On February 20, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Patricia J. Peters in the St. Joseph Catholic Church rectory at Devil's Lake, ND. The couple remained in Devil's Lake for a brief time, while Bob drove a truck for the wholesale grocery distributor, Nash Finch. Later that same year, the couple moved to Colorado Springs, CO where Bob had taken a position working at one of Nash Finch's locations there. Bob and Pat were blessed with 5 children, Connie, Robert M., Teresa, Gail and Kirk. The family would move to St. Could, MN and back to Colorado Springs within the next 5 years before Bob eventually went to work for Prudential Insurance. In the late 1950's, he would take a position at Western Surety. Bob remained with Western Surety until the age of 58, when he decided to go into business for himself. In 1989, Bob founded the Pioneer General Insurance Company. From humble beginnings, Bob built a firm that handled a very broad spectrum of insurance and bond offerings including fidelity, surety and bail bonds. In 2000, the couple retired to Lake McConaughy, where they had enjoyed spending the majority of their weekends since 1976. Bob worked very hard for his many successes in business, but his family was always a priority throughout the years. No matter what was going on at work, Bob and Pat made a trip to Lake McConaughy every weekend, even if only to spend a day. They spent many wonderful times with family enjoying the sun and sandy beach, boating and just having fun together. As the years progressed they would share those moments with grandchildren and even great grandchildren, all of which clung to Bob. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and tinkering. He was proud of what he had accomplished in life, but his greatest source of pride and happiness came from the family he shared it with. Bob and Pat were charter members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn, CO and were current members of St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. Bob was preceded in death by his son, Robert M. in January of 2015; 2 brothers, Boyd and Stanley Warburton; sister, Joan Warburton; brothers-in-law, Bernard and Konrad Peters; and a sister-in-law, Everyl MacDonald. Bob is lovingly survived by his wife, Patricia Warburton of Ogallala; his children, Connie (Vick) Kirk of Westminster, CO, Teresa (Patrick) Sullivan of Northglenn, CO, Gail (Zane) Watts of Hamilton, MT, Kirk Warburton of Westminster, CO; 12 grandchildren, Lisa (Shane) Plowman, Brian (Colleen) Kirk, Anthony (Suzee) Kirk, Hollie Murr, Michael Warburton, Dylan Warburton, Shawn (Cheri) Sullivan, Jeffery (Crystal) Sullivan, Rebecca (Robert) Wilson, Ashley (David) Repke, Matthew (Brooke) Warburton and Deannicka Warburton; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Jay Warburton, Fort Collins, CO; brother-in-law, Joseph "Jerry" Peters of Devil's Lake, ND; and many other relatives and friends. A memorial has been established in Bob's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Father Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A Rosary will be recited on Friday at 7 p.m. at the St. Luke's Catholic Church. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.