Robert “Kent” Rudy, 79, of Alma passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Harlan County Health System in Alma surrounded by his children and friends.

Kent was born in Grand Island April 6, 1947, the second of six children born to Kenneth and Glena (Wagner) Rudy. Kent grew up in the Giltner/Harvard area and graduated from Harvard High School in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the U.S.S. Garcia as an Air Seaman and flew Medivac as a flight tech. Kent served for 4 years before being honorably discharged. He was proud to have served his country during his time with the U.S. Navy. On July 6, 1968, Kent married the love of his life, Nancy Louise Brouillette, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. They lived their lives in numerous places along the East Coast and started their family in Pensacola, FL, where their son Brandy was born. They moved back to Nebraska and resided in Broken Bow, where their daughter, Vikki, was born. And later resided in Lexington, Juniata, and finally retired in Alma.

His work history as a mechanic was extensive, extending from Ruff Motors in Broken Bow, Sperry New Holland in Lexington, and finally Kayton Electric in Holdrege, while all along making lifelong friends.

He enjoyed his time antiquing, camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, and tinkering with just about anything.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Rudy; his mothers: Glena Wagner Rudy and Bonnie Wagner Rudy; his wife, Nancy Rudy; one brother, Garry, and sister-in-law, Bonnie J. Rudy; brother-in-law, Bill Brouillette; two sisters-in-law: Susan Brouillette Babb and Peggy Brouillette Reed.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his son, Brandy Rudy of Kearney; daughter, Vikki Lind and husband, Nick Lind of Lincoln; two granddaughters: Caylee Lind of Lincoln and Shayla Jessen of Wichita, KS; one great-granddaughter, Ellie Jessen; three brothers: Don (Connie) Rudy of Aurora, Bill (Gaylene) Rudy of Aurora, Dave Rudy of Giltner; sister, Barb Rudy Barnett (Joel) of Harvard; sister-in-law Barb (Dave) Chamberlin of North Platte; brothers-in-law: Amil Babb of Gibbon and Jim Reed of Billings, MT; along with numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

A Memorial graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Giltner Cemetery in Giltner, with Father Mark Seiker as celebrant. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Sit-NBull Saloon in Giltner.

Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later time.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.