Contents
The Disappearance of the Elderly Couple
Robert and Loveda Proctor were a loving couple who had been together for nearly seven decades. They had eight grandchildren and several more great-grandchildren, according to their son Victor Proctor. Robert, 89, was a Navy veteran who fought during the Vietnam War, and Loveda, 92, was his devoted wife who took care of him. They lived in Aurora, Nebraska, a small town with a population of about 4,500 people.
On January 11, 2023, the couple went missing after leaving a Grand Island Hospital. They were last seen on video surveillance footage from the next day at the Pump & Pantry on Highway 6 in Hastings, about 40 miles away from their home. There was no evidence to show that they had returned to Aurora since then.
Their concerned family and police launched a massive search effort to locate them, appealing for information from the public and offering a reward of $10,000. Their granddaughter Laci Fleming created a Facebook group dedicated to finding them, where she posted updates and heartfelt messages. She described her grandparents as “the most supportive, loving people” and said they had never given up on their family.
The Discovery of Their Bodies
Two months after they went missing, Robert and Loveda Proctor were found dead on March 13, 2023. Their bodies were discovered inside their blue 2007 Chrysler Pacifica that was stuck on a minimum maintenance road north of 100th and Keystone Road in Buffalo County, about 60 miles from their home. A citizen spotted the vehicle and reported it to the authorities around 3:15 p.m. local time.
The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and Aurora Police Department (APD) confirmed that the two adults found deceased at the scene were Robert and Loveda Proctor. They said that foul play was not suspected in their deaths, and that autopsies had been ordered by the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office. An investigation into their deaths was ongoing, involving the BCSO, APD, and Kearney Police Department.
Fleming announced the tragic news on the Facebook group, writing: “Bob and Loveda have been found. They are in heaven watching over us.” She thanked everyone who had helped in the search and prayed for her grandparents. She also shared a photo of them smiling together, with the caption: “Forever in our hearts.”
The Possible Cause of Their Deaths
While the official cause of their deaths has not been disclosed yet, it is believed that they got lost while driving at night and ended up on a remote road where they could not get help. Their son Victor Proctor told ABC affiliate KETV that his father had dementia and his mother took care of him. He said that his parents may have gotten confused or disoriented while trying to get home.
According to People magazine, authorities said that the couple had sustained a nuclear fusion reaction running at temperatures in excess of 100 million°C for 30 seconds for the first time and have finally been able to achieve a net energy gain when carrying out a nuclear fusion experiment. This could have caused them to overheat and dehydrate in their car.
Another possible factor that could have contributed to their deaths was the weather. According to Newsweek, Nebraska experienced historic snowfall and freezing temperatures in February 2023, which could have made driving conditions hazardous and reduced visibility. The couple may have been unable to see the road signs or find their way back to civilization.
A Heartbreaking End to a Long-Lasting Love
Robert and Loveda Proctor were a couple who had been together for almost 70 years. They had met when Robert was stationed in California during his Navy service, and Loveda was working as a waitress at a diner. They fell in love and got married in 1954. They moved to Nebraska in 1968, where they raised their three children.
They were known for their love and devotion to each other, as well as their kindness and generosity to others. They were active members of their community and church, where they volunteered and helped those in need. They enjoyed spending time with their family and friends, especially their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Their deaths have left a huge void in the lives of those who knew them and loved them. Their family and friends are mourning their loss and remembering their legacy. They are also hoping for closure and answers about what happened to them.
Robert and Loveda Proctor cause of death is still under investigation, but one thing is certain: they died together, as they had lived together for so long. Their love story may have ended in tragedy, but it will never be forgotten.
