Robert Volk
Family: Wife: Jeanette
Children: Clark and his wife, Lezlie, Jan and his wife, Kim
Grandchildren: Claire and Madeline
Background:
Robert (Bob) Volk was born on April 21, 1938. He was raised in Battle Creek, Nebraska, and went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During his college career, Bob was an active Block and Bridle member. He held numerous offices in the club and was elected the Block and Bridle President in 1958. After graduation, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves.
In 1961, he began his professional career with the Colorado Extension Service and then went on to work for the Drovers Journal and the American Hereford Journal as a Livestock Fieldman. In 1967, he accepted the position of Director of Agricultural Activities for Ak-Sar-Ben and in 1974 was offered the position of General Manager, a position which he held until 1990. In Bob's 23 years at Ak-Sar-Ben, he made major contributions to the youth and livestock industry of Nebraska. He was the head of nearly 800 full- and part-time employees and was used to build 4-H facilities in every county in Nebraska. Through his many positions and accomplishments, Mr. Volk has helped to develop and maintain the world's largest 4-H Livestock Exposition and Rodeo.
In addition to his commitments to youth and livestock activities at Ak-Sar-Ben, Bob was also extensively involved with Ak-Sar-Ben's horse racing. Bob established the Nebraska inter track waging simulcast system and expanded this system to the five race tracks in Nebraska in 1989.
In 1990, Bob was chosen as the Manager for the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic. Since the first annual event in 1991, the Classic has become the premier showcase for cattle breeders in the Midwest. It draws international attention on a yearly basis. Bob has also been actively involved in the Junior Livestock Show that is held during the Classic. This event has grown each year to a total of over 400 competitors this past year. His present position is Originator and Consultant of the Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic at Kearney, Nebraska.
Bob and his wife, Jeanette, currently reside at the site of their family cattle operation 2 ½ miles east of Arlington, Nebraska. Together with their sons, they maintain a 120-head cow herd known as J&C Simmentals. Using a breeding program which involves extensive use of artificial insemination and embryo transfer, J&C Simmentals has produced several nationally known sires in the Simmental breed. They have been awarded the Premier Breeder Award at the Nebraska State Fair for the past two years, as well as the Premier Exhibitor Award for 1996 and 1997. J&C Simmentals has sold cattle in 21 states as well as Canada and hold an annual production sale that was ranked among the top ten sales in the nation in 1996.
In addition, Mr. Volk is a member of the University of Nebraska Citizens Council and is an active member of several breed associations. He is also a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Arlington.