Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Couchman received a telegram Monday of this week from the war department stating that their son, S-Sgt. Robert Couchman had been killed in action somewhere in Germany on February 7. Further details are to be sent later by letter. In the last letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Couchman from their son, dated January 27, he mentioned the cold weather the troops were encountering in Germany. In a previous letter he had written that he had recently been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Sgt. Couchman entered the service in August, 1942 and was given his basic training at Camp Roberts, Calif. From there he went to Camp Butner, N.C. and later to Camp Picket, Va. He was home on furlough in August, 1944. He was sent overseas in November and wrote home from Belgium. In December he wrote saying that he was then in Germany. A brother, Pfc. Forrest Couchman is now in France and recently wrote that he hoped to see “Bob” before too long a time. Sgt. Couchman is the youngest of a family of eight children and was born near Lyons, Nebr. He had lived in Plainview since childhood. He attended the Plainview public schools, graduating from high school in 1938, where he was prominent in athletics and other school activities. He took great pride in being a member of the high school and municipal bands in which he played a trombone. After graduating from high school he was employed at the Bartlett Pharmacy in Plainview and later by the Fairmont Creamery company at Fremont. He also assisted at various times in operating the Couchman Transfer between Plainview and Omaha. Surviving are his parents; two sisters, Mrs. R.L. Gustafson, Cudahy, Wis. and Mrs. William Johnson, Mitchell; five brothers, Harold, Mitchell; Theodore, Scribner; David, Crofton; Don, Plainview; and Pfc. Forrest Couchman now in France. U.S. Ross received the following letter from the Fairmont Creamery Company expressing their deep regret in S. Sgt. Couchman’s death. Couchman made regular trips to Lyons while working for Fairmont’s in supplying the Ross Cafe with ice cream. Dr. Mr. Ross: It is with the deepest regret that we have learned that Staff Sergeant Robert W. Couchman was killed in action on the Western Front February 7. “Bob” started working with us on January 2, 1940 and was with us until July 24, 1942. He was inducted into the Infantry on August 6, 1942 at Fort Logan, Colorado. He worked his way up to a Staff Sergeant, and had spent more of his time while in the states in training new recruits. He took his Army work with the same spirit that marked his work with us. We, who worked with him, loved him, and respected him. With his shock of red hair, and his infectious grin, he made friends for himself and for the Company. He was a loyal, conscientious, faithful and honest worker. He always did more than his share of the work and served his customers to their complete satisfaction.  

We join with Mr. and Mrs. Couchman of Plainview, Nebraska and Bob’s brothers and sisters in mourning the loss of such a fine, outstanding young man. We know, that you too, had a warm spot in your heart for him and will deeply regret his death.
Sincerely yours, The Fairmont Creamery, Co. H.A. Olson, Mgr. ______________________________________________________

There were two services for Robert Couchman; one at the Plainview Methodist Church and the other at Lyons, Nebraska where the family had a combined service with Kenneth D. Whale – Bob’s cousin that also died in the war. Walter E. Sehnert grew-up in Plainview and wrote “Growing Up in Plain View – Stories of Plainview, Nebraska in the ‘30’s and ‘40’s”. In one Chapter he wrote about World War II and the men that left to fight in that war. This is what he said about Bob: “Bob Couchman and I were both members of Mr. George’s town band. If Norman Rockwell had been looking for a model of the “All American Boy” he might well have picked Bob, with his red hair and freckles and devilish grin. He was a great tease, and a favorite with the younger guys in the band. He played the slide trombone well, and with great enthusiasm. One of the treats at a Friday night summer band concert was to play “Lassus Trombone” or “Hold That Tiger”, or another of the trombone numbers, featuring Bob Couchman on the trombone. He really hammed it up, and these numbers were as much fun for the band members as they were for the audience. Bob was an early casualty of the war. I remember that Mr. George announced Bob’s death at a Monday Night band rehearsal, and a bit later talked about him and his music. Then we played “Lassus Trombone” in his memory, but no one could play the trombone part like Bob could, and the tribute fell a little flat.” I am Diann Couchman,  daughter of Forrest. In visiting with my cousin, Nancy Couchman Weinberger, Don’s daughter, we felt that Robert should be honored for the sacrifice he made for our great nation. (Nancy died June 27, 2019) We felt that the Veteran’s Flag/Memorial Plaza at the Norfolk Veteran’s Home would be a good place to honor him. His tribute is near to my father’s – Forrest Couchman.