Robert Joseph Wicht, aged 72, went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

His wishes were to be cremated and no services held.

Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

He was born Oct. 11, 1951, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Christian and Gladys (Oelschlager) Wicht.  At a very early age, he moved with his parents and family to Grand Island, Nebraska where he grew up.  He graduated from Grand Island Senior High School with the class of 1969, where he was a member of the High School yearbook staff.  Robert worked as a program director for Telesis Corp.

On May 2, 1970, Robert married the love of his life Janice (Nelson) and then entered the United States Army in late 1970, to serve in the Vietnam War.  During his advanced individual training program in electronics and communications, he was recommended for admission as a cadet to the United States Military Academy at West Point by the base commanding general at Ft. Monmouth, NJ.

Robert served in the Army Signal Corps for Top Secret communications as a Fixed Facility Station Controller.  He was severely wounded during an enemy ambush while serving in Vietnam, where he received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his actions.  Upon coming back to the States, Robert was involved in the experimental Myoelectric Prosthetic Research Program at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital (one of the first of its kind) and consulted for the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.

In 1976, Robert attended and graduated from Kearney State College with a high grade point average and a comprehensive Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Biology.  While there, he appeared several times on the Dean's Honor Roll of Academic Achievements and was elected to the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society.

1978 found him serving as a member of the Science Resource Group consulting to the Committee on Science and Technology of the United States Congress.  During this time he also served as member of Resource Group for AAAS in a project with the National Science Foundation.

He was recognized for service to the nation by President Jimmy Carter and received a certificate for Outstanding Community Achievement in 1979.  He was first listed in the 14th edition of American Men and Women of Science and was recognized and presented with a "Key to the City" by the Grand Island, Nebraska mayor in 1979.

Robert participated in a special dedication and reception at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. by special invitation from the United States Assistant Secretary of Defense through the office of International Security Affairs, which was addressed by United States Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. Also in 1984, he attended a special Washington briefing on Southeast Asian and Pacific Affairs which was addressed by President Ronald Reagan's representative to the National Security Council and Ambassadorial Representatives.  He maintained an active involvement in local groups concerned with POW/MIA affairs throughout his life, as well as in National and International Affairs.

Robert led a medical science research effort at Colorado State University ending in 1985 which successfully discovered the cause of a specific form of protozoan muscular disease called Sarcocystosis.  The disease had been searched for and eluded discovery since that form of disease was first recognized and described in 1869.  Robert then went on and developed a laboratory animal model for the disease, which he used to successfully research and describe the transmission and pathological changes associated with the disease condition.

In 1985, Robert graduated from Colorado State University with a total cumulative grade point average of 4.0 with a doctorate in Pathology.  During University graduation ceremonies, Dr. Wicht received special recognition and a standing ovation for his accomplishments while at Colorado State University.  In late 1985, he was elected to the National Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi for his outstanding academic achievements.

Dr. Wicht returned to his home in Grand Island, Nebraska area where he continued his studies and an interstate regional private practice of pathology.  Robert has always had a great affection for the people of Nebraska and has had first-hand knowledge of the high quality of life which is possible for those willing to embrace strong moral values and a vision of what their life can be.

Dr. Wicht is survived by his wife Janice, his son Eric of Hastings, Nebraska and his son Jason of Denver, CO.  He is also survived by two brothers, Jack (Arizona) and Don (Texas).  He is also survived by sisters Connie (Arizona), Janet (Tennessee), Linda (Nebraska), Lorrie (Colorado), Kathy (Wyoming), and Cindy (Indiana).

Online condolences to the family may be signed at www.livson.com.