Robert Payne

Bob was born January 18, 1943 in Council Bluffs to Marjorie (Clark) Payne and Byron Payne. He was the younger brother of Patricia “Pat” Livingston Lang and older brother of Marcia Payne Shaw.

Bob was a proud Navy veteran serving as a cook’s striker from 1962 to 1965 on the USS Prairie and the USS Charles Berry. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, he married the love of his life Mary Jacobson Krise on July 23, 1966 and they were the proud parents of Chris, Sally, and Shelley.

Bob loved life and was always looking for a “new adventure.” His employment career began at Playland Park at the age of 9. He worked various jobs there so he could buy his first bike. In high school he worked for Safeway grocery stores, eventually becoming a meat cutter. After his service to his country in the Navy he returned to his job as a meat cutter and then later in life became a proud Teamster as a new car transport driver, from which he retired in 2000. But he couldn’t sit still after retirement so he became a school bus driver for Omaha Public Schools and then a volunteer shuttle driver for his beloved VA in Omaha.

Bob and Mary loved to travel together all over this country and abroad. Besides his family that he adored so much he loved his Green Bay Packers, a good steak, his beloved German shepherd dogs, his 1973 red Mustang Convertible, and he loved the LORD. His love for travel began with his traffic violation of Navy Vehicle Code #21957 for “hitchhiking while standing in roadway.” A perfect day for him would have been watching a Packers Game (they’re winning of course!), eating a good steak with a German shepherd at his side on a ship in the middle of the calm Pacific Ocean. He was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of his in April of this year—travelling with his family to Pearl Harbor to reminisce about his days of being stationed there.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Byron and Marjorie, sister Pat and brother-in-law Ron Lang, aunts, uncles, grandparents.

Bob will be greatly missed by his loving family and countless friends he has made throughout his 78 years. But, in his words, he’s onto his next “new adventure” and that he is “just along for the ride.”

Bob is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years Mary, son Chris Krise (Melissa) of Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Sally Payne (Steve Cundiff) of Council Bluffs, IA, Shelley Jennings (Danny) of Shenandoah, IA, his grandsons (the light of his life) Ken Krise of Omaha, Ben Krise (Megan) of Omaha, Matt Krise (Chelsea) of Omaha, R. Jaymes Adams of Red Oak, IA, great-grandson Paxton Krise, sister Marcia Shaw of Council Bluffs, nieces Lynn Campbell (Gary) of Council Bluffs, Cathy Christensen of Omaha, Terri Pontow (John) of Carroll, IA, nephew Erik Shaw (Genevieve “Gen”) of Denver, CO and his extended family in Idaho, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania.

Per his wishes a simple military graveside service with his ashes interred in the Omaha National Cemetery will take place Tuesday June 22, 2021 at the Omaha National Cemetery, Omaha, NE at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers we believe Bob would prefer a donation to your local church, favorite charity, Humane Society, or to the pet shelter of your choice.