RC Oliva

Robert Curtis Oliva was born to Richard D. Oliva and Peggy A. Shaner on May 29, 1967 at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva NE. He passed away on April 17, 2011 at home in Geneva, NE, at the age of 43yrs. He was known as Rob or R.C. by many. R.C. went to Geneva Public school where he graduated in 1986. He then attended South East Community College in Milford where he graduated from the Construction Management program in May 1989. R.C. enjoyed spending time at Shaner’s Chevy and Olds Car dealership. Maybe it was washing a car or just sitting on a stool at the counter with his Grandpa Rex or Cousin Mike Shaner. R.C. was member of DeMolay Chapter in York where he went through the chairs of leadership and even was Master Counselor of the York Chapter. Just like his nephew Harley currently is in Fremont’s DeMolay Chapter. R.C. worked several different jobs throughout his life. But he kept coming back to the one he loved the most; working with his father and following the many generations of Oliva men before him in the family construction company. One of his most proud moments was in 2007, he and his father were remodeling two houses that had been moved off of a farm and to the town of Dakin NE. During this remodeling, behind a built-in ironing board was boards that had writing on them. This writing was from 1930 and read, May 29th (R.C. and His Mothers Birthday) 1930 Built by James Oliva and his sons. This was R.C.’s great-grandfather’s signature from when the Oliva’s had built the home in 1930. Now the two current generations were remodeling it into a bed and breakfast. Pictures were taken and shared with the family and before they enclosed the wall, he and his father Dick Oliva added their signature to the wall stating, May 10th 2007 (Richard D. Oliva son of Joseph Oliva, Grandson of James Oliva and Robert C. Oliva son of Richard D. Oliva Grandson of Joseph Oliva, and Great Grandson of James Oliva. For whomever to find in many years to see R.C. was the fourth Generation to work on this home. Now that is priceless!! R.C. was involved in many activities though out his life. If there was a meeting or an event about to happen R.C. was the first one there. He would be the one turning on the lights, setting up chairs, shoveling snow and anything else that would need to be done before others would arrive. After the meeting, just the opposite, he was the last to leave. No job was too small or beneath R.C. He was right there to mow the yard, carry out the trash or change oil and grease someone’s car. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Geneva, The United Methodist Church and Geneva Rescue for many years. Some of the more memorable times on the squad were when he got to spend time with his brother on calls or events. He had a great passion for the Alpacas. His good friend, Joe Miller, raised and showed them and R.C. loved to work with the animals on the farm and on the road at shows. When it came to his nieces, nephew and family, if you knew R.C. you knew what great things were going on in these peoples’ lives. R.C. loved to speak of what things were going on in their lives. It didn’t matter how small of event they were participating in, if they asked him to attend he was there. This was also true for if he knew you he was telling others of your great days. He was a son, brother, uncle, cousin and a friend to many. How does one really describe R.C., he was “A man that never met a stranger”. All it would take is a couple of minutes and he would have your name, face and your important celebration dates in his head. Many of his friends and family would tell how he would call and say for example (“tomorrow is your parents or kids anniversary or birthday day”). R.C. also had a gift when it came to gifts. He would spend a lot of time finding the perfect gift for you. A lot of time is would be something he had spent a long time making for you out of wood in the Oliva Const. Shop that he loved to spend hours in working on things. R.C. found great fellow ship in the Evangelical Free church of Geneva. He was always faithful to the Monday Men’s Bible study and the men who attended were among his closest friends. Rob was a dedicated Youth Leader joining the Leadership team and (of course) jumping in with both feet with his heart and soul. He attended weekly worship and special conferences, retreats, concerts and anything else that fit the calendar, passionately. R.C. was preceded in death by: Ruth Underwood (Great-Great Aunt), Joseph M. Oliva (Grandfather), Libbie E. Oliva (Grandmother), Rex I Shaner (Grandfather), and Colonel Robert J. Oliva (Uncle). R.C. is survived by, Nona Shaner (Grandmother), Richard D. Oliva (Father), Peggy A. Oliva (Mother), Richard R. Oliva (Brother) and wife Charity, Kayla M. Bennett, Mandy M. Mitchell and Husband Scott, Courtney A. Oliva, Haley R. Larson, Haven S. Larson (Nieces), Harley C. Larson (Nephew), Caine M. Bennett (Great Nephew), and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Funeral Services will be held at the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva NE at 10:30am on April 21, 2011, with a luncheon held at United Methodist Church afterwards. Pastor Jeff Jenson of the Evangelical Free Church will be presiding over the services. Pallbearers are: Gene Anderson, Grant Anderson, Joe Casey, Joe Miller, Tony Nuss, Mike Shaner, Jeff Rowe, and Wes Tracy. Interment will be in Geneva Public Cemetery with Famer and Son’s Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. Memorials are directed to the Evangelical Free Church in Geneva’s for the Youth Programs.

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RC Oliva

May 29, 1967 - April 17, 2011