Robert Edwin Panowicz
Robert Edwin Panowicz, 75, of Grand Island, formerly of Dannebrog, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Good Samaritan Society in Grand Island. Funeral services were held on Monday, June 2, 2025 at Our Lady Lourdes Catholic Church in Ravenna with the Very Reverend Vince Parson, J.C.L. officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be directed to www.rasmussenfuneralhome. com.
Robert was born on September 4, 1949, to Edwin Paul and Roberta Jean (Puncochar) Panowicz in St. Paul. He attended grade school in St. Paul; when the family moved to a farm southwest of Ravenna, he graduated in 1967 from Ravenna High School.
Following graduation, Robert entered the United States Army on February 19, 1968. He attended boot camp at Fort Lewis in Washington, and served in Frankfort, Germany and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on December 27, 1970.
After returning stateside, Robert drove truck for Holmes Trucking and ABF in Grand Island. In 1998, he purchased an acreage north of Dannebrog, where his days were spent “making hay,” working on his orange tractors, and tinkering around in his shop.
Following his retirement from trucking in 2014, he went to work “part-time” at Too Fast Tools in Grand Island, as he had “too much time on his hands.” In May 2024, Robert gave up his beloved acreage, and his “part-time” job and settled in at Good Samaritan Society in Grand Island to finally enjoy a life of leisure. Due to unforeseen health issues, that life of leisure was cut short.
Robert’s favorite color was Allis Chalmers. He loved any and all things related to Allis Chalmers. He often attended Old Trusty Days Antique Engine and Collectors Farm Show in Clay Center. One of his favorite pastimes was attending farm auctions. It wasn’t so much to kick a few tires and find a bargain as it was to “catch up on the news” and share a glass of iced tea and a “smoke” with a friend.
Left to cherish his memory include sons, James (Cindy) Panowicz and Adam Panowicz, all of Grand Island, and John (Mel) Panowicz of Dannebrog; daughters, Ashley Panowicz of Loup City and Heidi (Jurgen) Bott of Germany; grandchildren, Thatcher, Addie, John, Kelie, Aiden, Paityn, Hunter, Parker, Alex, and Tyler; brothers, Raymond (Mary) and Ronald (Charlene) of Kearney, Richard (Loraine) of Loup City, Rodney (Connie) and Russell (Diane) of Ravenna, and Randall (Billie) of Torrington, Wyoming; sisters, Janice (Francis) Krolikowski and Jean Wilson of Grand Island, Janel (Sam) Kraning of Charleston, Arkansas, and Joan (Roy) Clifton of Ravenna; and Tanzy, his long time furry, fourlegged companion.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Diane Panowicz; brother-in-law, Bryan Wilson; and nephews, Chad Krolikowski and Justin Panowicz.
The Phonograph-Herald | June 4, 2025