Robert W. Hicks, 4/23/1935-4/12/2016.  Wonderful husband, father, coach, employer, friend... there are not enough accolades to pronounce the effect this amazing man has had on his family and those around him.  Steadfast, Strong, Encouraging, Humble, kind, generous, faithful.... he lived his life completely for others in goodness and in giving. 

 

Robert Hicks attended St. Benedict's Elementary School where he was a successful student athlete.  Following the unfortunate death of his father, Robert continued his education at Boys Town under the direction of a young priest, Fr. Peter Dunne.  Robert flourished at Boys Town where he was elected Boys Town Senior Class President in 1954.  Robert was also a star athlete achieving all state honors in basketball, football and track.

 

Robert continued these successes in his family life marrying his high school sweetheart, Anita (Goodwin) Hicks at St. Benedict Church on November 26, 1955 - a marriage that endured for 60+ years.  In 1964, at the age of 29, he built his young wife and 4 young children a brand new home in the Mid Century Modern Style of Frank Lloyd Wright, including a floating stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings and a wall of glass windows using the skills he developed while a student at Boys Town.  He was known as an artist for his creativity and mastery in skilled carpentry and eventually went on to become the owner of his own general contracting business, RW Hicks Construction - one of the very few minority owned businesses of it's kind in Omaha. 

 

In giving back to his community, Robert Hicks was a volunteer football coach at the North Omaha Boys Club of Omaha and also supported and volunteered as needed with the Midwest Striders Track Club. 

 

Throughout his adult life into his old age, Robert could be found at the 7:00 am Sunday mass at St. Benedict Church, rain or shine, before his later years where he would drive the shorter distance to St. Cecilia's Cathedral.   In 2009, Robert Hicks was inducted into the Boys Town Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

The union of Robert and Anita Hicks brought 4 children, Robert Jr., Steven, Lesa Lindsay (Bill) and Crystal; 6 grandchildren Dewayne Jr. (Holly), Stevie Jr., Marcus, Cameron, Sydney and Torrie and 4 great grandchildren; Kalaya, Ma'liyah, Alinah and Nhalani.   

 

He is preceded in death by his parents: Heathwood Sr and Elizabeth Hicks, his brothers Nathaniel Goldston II, Heathwood Hicks Sr, Shirley (Hicks) Landers, Ira Hicks Sr and Alonzo Hicks.

 

Please direct any Memorials to St. Benedict Church in Memory of Robert W. Hicks