Accountant-Turned-Sleuth Fills a Book
Bob Marks loved uncovering myths and mysteries and garbled histories relating to Omaha. The spin-off? A book that enlightens, entertains and engages!
Bob Marks spent his professional life in banking and accounting prior to starting in 1975 with Mutual of Omaha’s corporate tax department, where he stayed for 25 years.
His interest in Omaha history grew while planning Mutual’s 75th anniversary in 1984.
Soon, he was chronicling local history, including works for the two-volume set of mid-19th century letters, “Their Man in Omaha: The Barker Collection, 1860-1876” (2006), and “Omaha and Council Bluffs, Yesterday & Today” (2008). He also wrote short stories and limericks for personal enjoyment and a highly anticipated Christmas letter (dating to 1984) for family and friends.
In early June 2022, the author was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as the final chapters of “Omaha History Detective” were written. He died June 17, 2022 – one week before his passion project went to press.
In a World-Herald column published May 6, 2021, Bob wrote, “Omaha is blessed with a mountain of written and photographic history, a lot of it waiting to be rediscovered. I have been interested in doing just that in an amateurish way since 1983 …
“I thought I had absorbed quite a bit of Omaha history, but everyday I make new, and sometimes startling, discoveries about my adopted hometown. (I grew up in Lincoln, where I was always tantalized by the allures of the big city just up Highway 6.)
“When I got accustomed to writing these Omaha history stories, I realized that my new avocation is much like my former day job at Mutual of Omaha. I was the director of corporate income taxes there for 2½ decades. But I was never an instant expert on income taxes - like a lot of complicated subjects, you need to know where to look. And in the last, say, 10 years, the tools we have been given to explore our histories have expanded exponentially.
“There is no longer any reason to be in the dark about our city’s past, just as our personal genealogy is accessible as never before.
“You can be your own history detective with the incredible explosion of digitized information online and the wonderful search engines that are available at little or no cost.”
“Omaha History Detective” includes tips and tidbits for nascent Omaha history buffs, including a geography lesson to help make sense of downtown Omaha’s early street addresses, and helpful guides for sorting fact from fiction. The rush of satisfaction you experience from these pages just might inspire a passion project of your own!
Making His ‘Marks’
Bob Marks took his work, hobbies and relationships quite seriously, yet did not take himself too seriously. He saw the world as a wonderful place and spent every day until his last making his “Marks” upon it.
In his final email blast to family and friends, he shared his cancer diagnosis and stated “... it would please me if you would all treat each other with kindness and respect.” His own words exemplify the dignity, wisdom and generosity that he represented to everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
And now, his passion for digging up buried treasure - myths and mysteries, forgotten literature, photographs and recorded reminiscences - is preserved with the fall 2022 release of “Omaha History Detective.”
“History doesn’t have to be as dry as we remember it from our school days, so I have tried to bring out the unusual, the comedic and the 'bizarre' from some of the more 'scholarly' narratives."
- Bob Marks, on writing about his favorite subject
So Long for A While
Do you remember TV’s “Lucky Strike Hit Parade” and that catchy theme song that ended the show? If you don’t know the melody, you can find it on YouTube. Listen as Bob Marks sings his own lyrics in announcing his book project – and column hiatus – to World-Herald readers in May 2021.
‘Marks’ of Time
The author’s basement archive wasn’t glamorous, but it was functional. Bookshelves were tightly packed with biographies, records, magazines, commemorative posters and souvenirs, and much, much more. How many pop culture references can you spy?
6 Things He Loved
Board Games
Swedish Band ABBA
Books
Sherlock Holmes
Fantasy League Baseball
Husker Football
Board Games
Swedish Band ABBA
Books
Sherlock Holmes
Fantasy League Baseball
Husker Football
"Thank You for the Music"
Bob Marks was born Sept. 23, 1938, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and grew up with younger twin siblings, John and Jane. By elementary school, Bob’s interest in history and talent for storytelling were already emerging. His mom noted his ear for music, too.
Bob studied business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After graduating with honors in 1960, he served six years with the U.S. Air Force National Guard.
He had stints in banking and accounting prior to landing a job with Mutual of Omaha in 1975. He found his niche leading the firm’s corporate tax department, retiring as a vice president after 25 years with the firm.
Georgene “Gena” Speckmann of Madison, Wisconsin, stole Bob’s heart at first sight while visiting friends in Omaha. The couple was married Oct. 22, 1976, in Bellevue, Nebraska. They made their home there for decades. Daughter Laura was born in 1980, joining older siblings Rob and Michelle to complete their blended family.
Bob loved wintering in the warmth of Arizona and was a doting grandfather to Ellie, Phoebe and Julianne.
His celebration of life service concluded with a favorite ABBA tune, “Thank You for the Music.”
