Robert (Bob) Pier

Robert (Bob) Allyne Pier, 89, of Aurora, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at The Legacy Square in Henderson. 
A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, September 18 at Pleasant View Bible Church in Aurora. Rev. Bob Gannon will officiate. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made in care of family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website atwww.higbymortuary.com. 
Bob, the son of Allyne H. and Lucy A. Pier, was born in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 1937. His family later relocated to Denver, Colorado, where Bob attended Thatcher Elementary School and Englewood High School, graduating in 1955. He continued his education at Colorado State College, graduating in 1959 with a major in speech pathology and a minor in music. Bob met Dona Jo Traudt while in college, and they were married at Stockham Bible Church on September 7, 1958. 
Throughout his childhood, Bob enjoyed mountain climbing, camping, ice skating, and his early-morning newspaper delivery route in Denver. He participated in the Highlander Boys Organization, an early version of ROTC, where he played trumpet in the band, enjoyed learning marching precision, and developed leadership skills. During a church service in high school, Bob responded to God’s call on his life. That response became a defining thread throughout his life of faith, ministry, and service. 
While completing his college degree, Bob began working as a speech pathologist and became involved in lnterVarsity and Bethel Baptist Church. After graduation, Bob and Dona Jo relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he completed his seminary training at Bethel Seminary in 1965. Toward the end of his seminary training, Bob and Dona Jo adopted their son, Brett Errol. 
The family returned to Nebraska, where Bob began his first pastoral ministry at Bethel Baptist Church in Ord. There, he shepherded the congregation toward spiritual growth through preaching, teaching, programming, and hospitality. They later adopted their daughter, Jacalyn Joy, adding to their growing family. Bob also served at a church in Parker, Colorado. The family eventually returned to Nebraska, where Bob worked as a speech specialist for the Educational Service Units in Holdrege and Hastings. 
During retirement, Bob counted it as a privilege to serve churches through Interim Ministries in Nebraska, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The memories and relationships Bob and Dona Jo formed in each place were special. During the last ten years of his life, Bob served as a chaplain on Tuesdays at Bickford Cottage in Grand Island, encouraging residents and offering them the comfort of God’s Word. 
Throughout Bob’s family life, ministry, and service, he treasured the partnership he shared with Dona Jo. Together they enjoyed the Traudt farm life, extended family gatherings, celebrations, and family adventures. Bob was deeply curious - he loved taking photographs and videos to capture memories, discovering treasures while thrifting, collecting and reading books about a wide variety of topics, studying biblical commentaries, preparing for biblical teaching through preaching, chaplaincy, and bible studies. 
Most importantly, Bob treasured his relationship with God and his opportunity to bring his family and others before Him in prayer. He frequently prayed for guidance and offered prayers of praise, often ending by praying for each family member by name. His faith, prayers, love for family, and commitment to serving others are lasting reflections of the life God had called him to live. 
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Allyne Pier. 
Those who will cherish his memory include his wife, Dona Jo; children, Brett Pier and Jacalyn (Mike) Eisenzimmer; grandsons, Dennie Bolles, Drew (fiance Lily) Eisenzimmer, and Riley Eisenzimmer; sister, Jan Reidesel; nieces, Sheila and Rhonda; brother-in-law, Dee J. (Sande) Traudt; niece, Andrea (Jason) Inouye; and grand-niece, Lora lei Inouye. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the many lives he touched through his ministry.