Memorial Bench for Bob Tate

As word spread on Friday, April 16, of the untimely passing of Bob Tate, owner of The UPS Store in Kearney, the local business community was rocked by the news. A shared sentiment was expressed by person after person, “But I just saw him.”

Bob Tate was not only a local resident, business owner, and veteran; he was a community advocate, philanthropist, and ambassador! He was a valued and important member of the greater Kearney community.

To honor our dear friend and colleague, the Kearney Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors agreed to lead a campaign to purchase a memorial bench at Lions Park. To achieve this, the business community was invited to join in the effort.

Once again, this community has proven its commitment to Kearney and to each other!

In less than a month, more than 30 individuals and businesses contributed $3,200 to the project. The final cost of the bench was $2,650 (including installation and memorial plaque).

Per his family’s request, the remaining funds of $550 have been donated to the Kearney Food Pantry in Bob’s memory.

The park bench chosen for this honor will sit in the southeast corner of Lions Park overlooking both the playground and splash pad. Board President, Gerri Spencer, said, “We thought Bob would have appreciated the full view of the park from there.” The plaque will read “In Memory of Bob Tate – The UPS Store”.

Bob’s bench will be one of seven placed around the new Lions Park splash pad and playground due to open in June, 2021.

“With this being in our park I think it hits both children and our community, both things that Bob cared deeply about,” said Spencer.

The Kearney Chamber Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and thank the following contributors:

Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative; D’Creamery; Mapping Solutions; Stables Grill; Realty Executives of KC-Marlo Howard; State Farm Insurance-Stella Spiking; Tracy Tucker State Farm Insurance; Kathe Lewis; Shelter Insurance-Bree Switzer; Clay County Savings Bank; Kearney Lions Club; Community Hospitality, LLC; Interior Window Coverings LLC; Radiant Life Church and Daycare; Paint4U, LLC; Ryan Marcotte; Kearney Historic Museum; Bob and Dawn Marchert-Edward Jones; Bishop Law Office; Premier Network; Farmers Insurance-Lechner Agency; ISOTech/KC Coyote; Mike Davis Creative Services; KPGZ 102.7 FM Radio Station; ReeceNichols Realtors, Kearney-Darlene Bailey; Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Kearney; RE/MAX Advantage; Anonymous; Pizza Shoppe; Marion Hood; Academy Bank; Kearney Chamber of Commerce.

Story provided by Stacie Bratcher, Executive Director - Kearney Chamber of Commerce