Bruce E. Rollins

BRUCE E. ROLLINS 1946 - 2015 Bruce E. Rollins age 69 of Plattsmouth, NE passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at his residence. He was born on October 24, 1946 to Claire and Ruby Rollins in Council Bluffs, IA. At the age of two Bruce's mother passed away in a boiler accident and he and his father moved to California to be near his dad's family. When Bruce was twelve years old, his dad died from a diabetic coma. After his father's passing Bruce returned to Iowa to live in Carson, where he was raised by his mother's parents Raymond and Opal Campbell. They raised Bruce like their own son. His uncles Robert and Raymond Jr. and his aunts Beatrice, Joann, and Joyce grew up together as brothers and sisters. He worked alongside his grandpa on the family farm, where his love for working on anything mechanical first began. Bruce developed a passion for motorcycles, cars, and making things go fast. Bruce graduated from Carson-Macedonia High School with the class of 1964. After graduating from high school, he rodeoed, drove trucks, and attended college. He enlisted in the US Army, was stationed in San Francisco, CA, and served his country for three years. During his time in the Army he continued to attend college and studied psychology at San Francisco State University. While living in California, Bruce married and his son Jason was born. In 1980, Bruce and his family moved to Plattsmouth and he returned to work for Schueman Trucking becoming the shop forman. Later, he owned and operated Rollins Welding, which became The Metalshop, a welding and custom car fabrication shop. When business slowed he started Rollins Tools, selling tools as a Matco Tools distributor. Several years later Bruce divorced, left the tool business, and returned to welding when he started up his own millwright service. Bruce traveled with his millwright business throughout western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, where while on a job in Schuyler, NE he met Linda Okey and they soon fell in love. Bruce's son Jason began working with his dad in the welding shop and later in the millwright service where Bruce passed on his skills and instilled his same love of cars into Jason. When Jason was fourteen, they bought his first car with plans to build it together, but the car never quite got finished. During his time running the welding shop Bruce built and customized hundreds of different types of vehicles and Bruce and Jason were acquainted with a number of local racers. After Jason graduated from high school in 1990, Bruce told Jason "Since we never got your car on the street, why don't we put it on the track", thus Rollins Racing was born and they found their love for drag racing. Some of Bruce's proudest moments came when his grandchildren were old enough to race and a third generation became a part of the team, truly making Rollins Racing a family affair. After Bruce stopped running the Metalshop fulltime he worked for Allied Chemical and later for Feed Energy where he stayed until his retirement in April of 2015. When he wasn't working he spent his time with his family, telling stories with his friends, tinkering on his cars and bikes, and building, fixing, and customizing anything he got his hands on. Bruce's world revolved around Linda, Jason, his grandkids, and of course drag racing. Bruce was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #365 in Plattsmouth. He is survived by his girlfriend: Linda Okey of Plattsmouth, NE; son: Jason Rollins and wife Courtney of Plattsmouth, NE; two granddaughters: Kelsey Rollins of Plattsmouth, NE; Emma Rollins of Plattsmouth, NE; grandson: Logan Rollins of Plattsmouth, NE; uncle: Raymond Campbell Jr. and wife Karen of Montague, CA; three aunts: Beatrice Lindhardt of Atlantic, IA; Joann Shea of Hills, IA; Joyce Krug of Winona, WI; son-in-law: Hal Okey and wife Laura of Las Vegas, NV, two grandsons-in-law: Christian Okey of Las Vegas, NV, Luke Okey of Las Vegas, NV; numerous cousins, and many friends. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents: Claire and Ruby Rollins and grandparents: Raymond Sr. and Opal Campbell. Visitations will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 P.M. with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Roby Funeral Home in Plattsmouth. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Roby Funeral Home in Plattsmouth with Pastor Michael McGregor officiating. The Pallbearers will be Scott Hughson, Joe Morehead, Zach Markham, Hal Okey, Les Wentz, and Jim Howe. Final Resting Place will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Plattsmouth. Memorials to the Family.

Bruce E. Rollins

October 24, 1946 - December 24, 2015