Robert Ponce, 75, of North Platte, passed away on March 3, 2023, at Great Plains Health. He was born to Jess and Jennie (DeLuna) Ponce on March 13, 1947.
Robert was raised in North Platte, graduating with the class of 1965. In 1966, Robert enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. On January 5, 1967, he married the love his life, Dorothy Martinez, in Kileen, TX, where he was stationed. Together, they had three children: Robert Jr., Philip, and Christina.
After returning home from Vietnam, he briefly worked at the meat packing plant before beginning his life-long career at the Union Pacific Railroad. He hired on as a track laborer, then worked as a fireman oiler, a machinist helper, a diesel mechanic, a hostler, and eventually became an engineer. In 2007, Robert retired as a locomotive engineer after 32 years with UPRR.
Robert was always soft spoken, tender, and patient. He loved to teach what he knew and trained a lot of the engineers at UPRR. He received two purple hearts, a bronze star with valor, and an Army commendation; he held a lot of pride in his service to the United States.
Robert was always known to keep an immaculate yard, even winning “yard of the week” through the local newspaper. He was an avid Nebraska Husker football fan and loved woodworking, building things, science fiction movies, reading, cooking, and barbequing, specifically prime rib. He was known to be able to fix anything with his handyman skills. Robert was a train enthusiast and a collector of all things, from stamps to guns.
Those left to remember Robert are his children, Robert Jr. (Dianne) Ponce of North Platte, Philip (Carmen) Ponce of Council Bluffs, IA, and Christina (Russell) Brown, of Cheyenne, WY; grandchildren, Scott Ponce, Seth (Sharon) Ponce, Elizabeth Ponce, Ashley Brown, Justin Brown, and Kaylie Brown; sisters, Helen Vieyra, Mary Donna Sanchez, Elizabeth (Art) Perez, Sue (Larry) Tridle, Debra Cano, Janet (Lars) Parkhurst; brothers, Randy Ponce and Tim Ponce; brother-in-law, Al Jamsay; aunt, Mary Ponce Carreras; several cousins, nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Preceding him in death is his wife, Dorothy; parents; in-laws, Seferino and Helena Martinez; grandson, Cameron Allen; brother, Tony (Judy) Ponce; sisters, Hope Jamsay and Michaelene (Jerry) Miller; grandparents, Luis and Nicolasa Ponce, Petra and R.C. Hernandez.
Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Brett Hathaway officiating. Burial will follow at North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 from 12 P.M. to 7 P.M. with family present to greet friends from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M.
For those that are unable to attend, the service will be live streamed at www.adamsswanson.com. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.