He began his legal career in Scottsbluff at the general practice firm of Lovell, Raymond & Hippe. Over the next eight years, Bob built a reputation for fairness, preparation, and humility. He was admitted to practice in the Nebraska State and Federal Courts, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

In 1975, Bob was elected Scotts Bluff County Attorney. Two years later, he was appointed as a District Judge in Nebraska’s 12th Judicial District. For the next 30 years, he served on the bench with integrity and balance. His courtroom was known for its respect, its order, and its pursuit of justice. He earned the admiration of attorneys, law enforcement, and countless families who came through his court.

After retiring from the bench in 2007, Bob took a short break. But retirement never quite fit him. In January 2009, he joined the Pahlke Law Group as a litigator. I had the great privilege of trying cases with Bob, including several that resulted in multi-million-dollar verdicts. Among them was the record-setting product liability verdict in Bacon v. DBI/SALA, which returned a jury award of over $21 million.

In 2015, Bob became of counsel to our firm. He continued to offer wisdom, guidance, and support until his passing on April 27, 2019.

Bob was more than a colleague. He was a mentor, a teacher, and a dear friend. His commitment to the rule of law, his humility, and his quiet strength continue to guide our work. We miss him deeply, and we are proud to carry forward the values he lived by every day.

— Robert Pahlke