Dr. Robert “Bob” D. Fiala
Dr. Robert “Bob” D. Fiala
Sept. 27, 1938 – Jan. 30, 2018
Robert Dennis Fiala of Seward joined his Savior Jan. 30, 2018. Bob was born to Hugh and Lucille Fiala on Sept. 27, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended St. Paul’s College in Concordia, Missouri, and received his bachelor of science degree in education from Concordia Teachers College in Seward in 1960.
Bob married Maxine Bickel on July 22, 1962, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Missouri. In 1963, Bob also received his master’s in history from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his doctorate in history from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, in 1967.
Bob always had a passion for learning and teaching others about Asia and other cultures. Bob’s first teaching position was at a Lutheran high school in Houston, Texas. Most of Bob’s academic career was at Concordia University in Seward. He was a history professor at Concordia from 1965 to 2005. Many students were blessed by Bob’s passion for travel through his class lectures and trips abroad to Europe and Asia. Bob also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a visiting professor of history at Tunghai University in Taiwan, Normal College of Foreign Languages in Beijing and Oak Hill College in London.
Bob served his community by serving on the Seward City Council for 20 years. He loved Seward and wanted to see it continue to prosper and grow. Bob also had a passion for photography. His photos have been published in newspapers, magazines and history books.
Bob is survived by his son, Jonathan and wife, Michelle, of Valley Park, Missouri; son, David and wife, Amber, of Seward; grandchildren, Trevor and Rachel Fiala, Emma and Laura Coleman, Devon Darrohn and Ian and Isaac Fiala; and his sister, Marilyn.
Bob was preceded in death by parents, Hugh Fiala and Lucille Pfeiffer; wife, Maxine Fiala; and granddaughter, Audrey Fiala.
A memorial service was held Feb. 5, 2018, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, with the Rev. Scott Bruick officiating. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in Seward on Feb. 6. Memorial contributions may be made to the Concordia University International Student Scholarship or to the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
