Growing up, Bob worked with his family in the Mittelstaedt General Store in Milbank, spent time playing hockey at the ice rink across the street from his house, played the trombone in several bands, and partnered in bridge with his grandmother. Later, Bob served in the United States Army as a morse code interceptor from 1953 through 1956. After his military service, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1958. He earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Arizona in 1960 and a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Minnesota in 1966.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Robert and Venita were married on August 30, 1958. Together they had two children, Mary and John, who he loved dearly. Bob was a professor of marketing at the University of South Dakota, the University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska as the Nathan Gold Distinguished Professor, retiring as a professor emeritus. Bob was a talented teacher and accomplished researcher. However, he probably will be most remembered for his intentional and dedicated mentoring of graduate students. Bob and Venita often hosted graduate students in their home, including most holidays. In recognition of his dedication, the annual Marketing Doctoral Symposium was named in his honor.
In Bob’s free time, he enjoyed traveling with his family across the world, listening to jazz and classical music, being an active member of First Plymouth Church, telling stories about growing up in Milbank, SD, keeping up with his grandchildren, and cheering on the Nebraska women’s volleyball team and Cornhusker football.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Lillian, his wife Venita, his son John, his sister-in-law Linda Thelen and his brother-in-law William Thelen. He is survived by his daughter Mary Mittelstaedt Mann (Columbia, SC), his daughter-in-law Patrice Noel (Dayton, OH), his granddaughters Meredith Mann (Chicago, IL), Morgan Mann (Memphis, TN), Marlow Mittelstaedt (Dayton, OH), grandson Matthew Mittelstaedt (Washington, DC), a niece, two nephews, cousins, and many graduate students.
Bob will be remembered as a man of good humor and generosity, a dedicated teacher and mentor, a loyal friend, a committed son, a loving and adoring husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and devoted grandfather. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held at 1 pm on November 24th at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Abendmusik Fund of First Plymouth Congregational Church, the Mittelstaedt-Gentry Doctoral Symposium at the University of Nebraska, the University of Dayton John D. Mittelstaedt Center for Advising and Student Success building fund or a charity of your choice.