A school crossing guard, called "Mr. Bob" by the kids, is now being called something else — a "hero" crossing guard — by just about everyone in his community. Mr. Bob was tragically killed on Tuesday morning while on duty in front of Christ the King Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas. He was 88 years old.
Bob Nill was in the crossing when a driver ran through it. Instead of diving out of the way, Bob held his post, in the process protecting two elementary schoolers who were about to step out off the curb. Witnesses says he pushed them back before they had a chance to get out in the road, potentially saving both of their young lives. Sadly, in the process, he lost his own.
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Mr. Bob was reportedly known and loved in the community. Just last week for Valentine's Day, the kids made a special gift for him. They brought him mugs full of candy and a special card for the occasion. For Christmas one year, he gave some of the children he knew well gifts.
Bob worked as a crossing guard, and for five years he made sure kids made it safely to school. By all accounts, he was incredibly dedicated to his duties. "He was a very dedicated at what he did," said Elizabeth Germany, who lives near the school. "Cared about the kids. Made sure he stood out there with that sign and made sure they were safe to cross."
This wonderful man had also served in the Coast Guard. He had a career in banking, as well. When he retired from that job, he wanted to continue to be of service in his community. He still felt he had a lot of offer and his family members told FOX4 News that said he didn't want just sit around.
His son, Bart, told The Washington Post that after his wife, who was Bart's stepmother, passed away, Bob became lonely. But when he signed up for his new job, he felt he had a purpose again. "It was the neatest thing in the world,” Bart said. “It got him back on a schedule again, he got to sleep when he was supposed to — but it also allowed him to spend time with children again, because Dad, he just loved kids. You could sense that.”
"This was something I think he felt like he could help children and help himself feel good about what he was doing," said Randy Nill, Bob's nephew. It's really incredible that at the age of 88, he still felt he wanted to contribute in such a way. Many people are happy to rest easy and hold their heads high in their "golden years" knowing they've already been valuable members of society. For Mr. Bob, he didn't want that to end as he grew older.
Elizabeth Germany is a grandmother to children who go to a nearby public school. Because she has knee pain due to past surgeries, she could only walk her grandchildren about halfway to school. But Mr. Bob was happy to step in, she said, making sure the kids were safe. "My prayers and thoughts go to the family. It's sad. It really is," she said.
While the event itself is shocking and tragic, no one seems surprised at the news that Bob put the kids' lives before his own, certainly not his family. They said his actions show the kind of person that he was and that extraordinary kindness was not unusual for Bob. It certainly seems that way for how he acted in a frightening situation.
"What my Uncle Bob did for just getting little kids across the street seemed probably trivial to some people, but for him, it was a really important job, and now, we really know how important it was" Randy Nill said. "He maybe saved some lives." It's easy to assume being a crossing guard is a simple job. But the fact is, keeping kids safe is absolutely of the utmost importance. Especially because people disregard speed limits and other traffic rules all the time.
People in Bob's community hope that what happened is a wake-up call. They believe is should help others to appreciate the people who serve the community and put their lives on the line to protect kids. But it should also warn drivers to be extra careful. School zone speed limits are lower for a reason and ignoring them can easily lead to someone, usually a child, getting hurt. "People need to slow down. Even the buses they need to slow down," Germany said.
The driver who hit Bob in the crosswalk did not flee the scene of the crime. He stayed and spoke to officers and he was taken to this hospital to see if he had any injuries. He also spoke to investigators. As of now, there isn't any word on possible charges or what caused the crash.
Wyandotte County Unified Government employed Bob and released the following statement in light of the tragedy: "The Unified Government is deeply saddened to report a public servant employed by the city was struck and killed by a vehicle near 54th & Leavenworth Road while on-duty as a crossing guard this morning. Eyewitness reports indicate the employee was struck while pushing children out of the way of the approaching vehicle."
Mayor David Alvey also spoke out about Bob's death."I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of the crossing guard, and I offer our gratitude on behalf of our residents for his selfless sacrifice in protecting our children," he said. "The Unified Government staff extends their heartfelt thoughts and prayers tot he employee's family, friends, and those affected by this tragedy."
So many people in the community are mourning Bob's death. His friends and family members will certainly always remember him fondly. But the school he worked for for five years will also never forget him. He had a huge impact on the kids and clearly, a dedication to keeping them safe.
Christ the King School shared the following statement on its Facebook page: "Our hearts are heavy at the passing of Mr. Nill. Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers as well as the students, parents, and teachers who witnessed today's accident. Also know that Mr. Nill is a hero. He stopped two of our students from crossing the road as the car approached."
