Robert Lee Messersmith, age 86, of North Platte, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Great Plains Health.

Robert was born in Farnam, Nebraska, to Orvis and Jane (Stephensen) Messersmith on October 13, 1939.

He grew up there, finally graduating from Stockville High School in 1957. After working for a while, Robert was called to join the United States Army in Korea in 1963. He served his country faithfully until he returned home in 1965. There he started a job at the Co-op in Curtis as an Anhydrous Ammonia Deliverer. During this time, Robert met the love of his life, Rhonda Lee Conyers, and the two were wed on July 18, 1967. In 1968, Robert moved on to work at Western Electric in Chicago, IL. He returned to Nebraska in 1970 to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone and stayed with them through their transitions in to US West, Quest, and finally CenturyLink in North Platte, NE. He retired in 1996.

Throughout his life, Robert always walked with God. He was a prominent member of First Baptist Church in Maxwell, NE, and became more active after his retirement. He also had a private pilot's license, which he put to good use in his free time. He loved to fly and could often be found soaring through the sky.

Those left to cherish Robert's memory are his nephews Mark Messersmith of Aldie, VA, and Paul Messersmith of Washington D.C. Eric Messersmith of Pennsylvania and sister-in-law Sandra Gordon.

He is preceded in death by his wife Rhonda, parents Orvis and Jane, and brother Dick Messersmith.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Maxwell, Nebraska with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at 1 p.m. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fist Baptist Church in Maxwell, NE. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.

Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.