Robert Thrasher, fifteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Thrasher of Kearney, died this morning at an Omaha hospital.

His condition had been critical since the accident here Sunday, June 11, in which he sustained a fractured spine.

He dived from the bank into shallow water at the Veterans’ park swimming pool, and a vertebra just below the neck was broken when his head struck bottom. John Hamer, park life guard, reached him immediately and administered artificial respiration until the city fire department arrived with the inhalator.

The boy was then taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital for examination, and was transferred to Omaha after the etent of his injuries had been determined.

Mr. and Mrs. Thrasher were at his bedside when death came early this morning. THe parents planned to return to Kearney this evening. The body was to be taken directly to Farnam, Mr. Thrasher’s home, for burial, it was reported.

A younger sister, who has been staying with relatives in Columbus for the last week, also survives.

The Kearney Hub, Saturday, June 24, 1933

Robert Charles Thrasher, son of R. O. and Neva Thrasher was born May 14, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away in the Lord Lister hospital in Omaha, Nebraska Saturday morning June 24th at the age of fifteen years, one month, and ten days. His death came as the result of an accident which occurred while swimming in the pool at Kearney a short time ago.

He moved with his parents from Detroit, Michigan to Farnam, Nebraska in 1923, where he lived with his parents for four years. The family was living in Kearney, Nebraska at the time of Robert’s death. Robert was very ambitious lad and was interested in many worth while activities. He was a member of the scout troop in Kearney and was a second class scout at the time of his death. He took part in the Norfolk-Columbus swim meet in which he took first place in the forty yard free style. He was an outstanding athlete in the Kearney Junior High track meet this spring. Robert took four first places.

He was baptized in the Methodist Church at Detroit, Michigan during infancy and attended the Methodist Sunday School at Kearney.

He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Thrasher, one sister Jean, his grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Thrasher of Farnam and a grandmother, Mrs. C. E. Crist of Waterloo, Nebraska, besides a host of friends. His death came as a great shock to the family and his many friends.

Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church, Monday afternoon, June 26th at two o’clock, the Rev. C.R. Tanner officiating. A quartette from the Methodist Church of Eustis furnished the music.

The Farnam Echo 52(44):1 Friday, June 30, 1933