Rodney Jake “Rod” Schwartzkopf, 75, of Gering, formerly of Mitchell, was called to his Lord on November 7, 2023 with his family by his side. His
Celebration of Life service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at WestWay Christian Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Joe Petersen officiating.
Private family inurnment will be held at Mitchell City Cemetery. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Rod’s honor be made in care of the church or Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be made by viewing Rod’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Rod was born on July 26, 1948 in Scottsbluff, NE to his parents Jake Schwartzkopf and Rose (Maul) Schwarzkopf. He grew up in the Dutch Flats area north of Mitchell. Rod attended school at Fairview #34 and then Mitchell High School, graduating in 1966. In 1968, Rod was drafted into the US Army. His service included training as a radio operator and being stationed stateside and in Heidelberg, Germany. Rod married Debbie Pierce on July 22, 1972 and made their home on the family farm north of Mitchell. To this union were born two children, Jill and Brian. For nearly fifty years, Rod took pride in his title of farmer. One of his favorite times of the year was the sugar beet harvest, when the whole family came back to the farm
and chipped in to get the job done. His love of agriculture still shines today through his son, son-in-law, and grandson. Rod enjoyed classic cars and fast cars. It wasn’t unusual to find him watching NASCAR, drag racing, tractor pulls, or a classic car auction. In his later years, Rod was found in the bleachers cheering on his grandchildren with his popcorn in hand from the “snack shack.” He was also a proud member of Westway Christian
Church.
Rod is survived by his children, Brian Schwartzkopf of rural Mitchell, and Jill (Ryan) Walker of rural Scottsbluff; grandchildren Chesney Walker of Billings, Montana and Caleb Walker and fiancé Kyla Knight of Scottsbluff; brother Larry (Linda) Schwarzkopf of Phoenix, Arizona; and father-in-law Mel Pierce of Gering.
He was preceded in death by his wife Debbie; parents Jake and Rose; mother-in-law Shirley Pierce, brother-in-law Roger Pierce; and numerous aunts and uncles.