Dr. Harry R. Tolly • Lincoln, NE Resident, 83

   Dr. Harry Roscoe Tolly, of Lincoln, passed away on April 22, 2021 at the age of 83. Born in Humboldt on Dec. 4, 1937 to Rose (Neiswanger) and Roscoe Tolly, a math teacher, principal, and football coach. The family lived in Falls City and Ord, before settling in North Platte, where Harry graduated a Bulldog from North Platte High School in 1955.

   He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire one year before landing at the University of Nebraska on a full scholarship as the Cornhusker’s starting quarterback from 1957-1959, under coach Bill Jennings. 

   Harry led one of the greatest upsets in Husker football history – the 1959 win over Oklahoma on Halloween, snapping Oklahoma’s 74-game conference unbeaten streak, still an NCAA record today. He also was a pitcher for the Husker baseball team in 1959 and 1960.

   Among Harry’s numerous college athletic achievement – he was the first Husker to receive the National Football Foundation’s scholar-athlete award and was also awarded the Tom Novak trophy.

   He also excelled academically and in service. Among his many accomplishments – he was president of Sigma Chi Fraternity, a member of UNL student council, Nebraska Air National Guard (1962-1967) and Innocents Society, the top honor for a male student at Nebraska.

   Following in his father’s footsteps to teach and coach, he received a Bachelor’s in math, a Master’s in education, and became the “grad assistant” on Coach Bob Devaney’s first staff in 1962. Having decided to leave a coaching career and enter dental school, Harry made space for, as he liked to joke, “some guy named Osborne.” 

   His senior year he met the love of his life, Ann Marie Hanna of Valentine. They were married in 1962.

   Harry graduated from dental school in 1966. He and Ann lived in Honolulu, HI for one year so he could extern at Queens Hospital before moving back to Lincoln. He practiced general dentistry for 40 years in University Place. Patients still recall how he would call the evening after a procedure to check on them.

   Harry continued to serve as a professional, notably as President of the Lincoln District Dental Association and President of the UNL Dental Alumni Association.

   Harry lived life to the fullest. He could get more out of a day than most. He loved God, a quiet spot to fish with a friend, a sunny day doing yard work and an evening watching a favorite movie. Spending time with his Gourmet Club of more than 40 years and attending Husker games with family were particular joys. He never missed a Husker game! Rest well, Harry.

   He is survived by son, Dr. Chad Tolly; daughter, Kristin Tolly; grandchildren, Maddie and Will Tolly; sister, Patricia Shumpert (Mike); nephews, Michael and Matthew Shumpert; sister-in-law, Jan Tolly; nephew, Todd Tolly (Ruth); niece, Leah Rinehart (Mark); sister-in-law, Rachel Dent (Mike); and niece, Leslie Lee (Mathew). He is preceded in death by his parents, Ann, his wife of 54 years, and brother William “Husker Bill” Tolly.

   A Memorial Service was held at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, NE. Memorials may be given to the UNMC College of Dentistry, via the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508 or First Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D Street, Lincoln, NE 68502. To leave condolences, go to roperandsons.com.

Victor R. Thomas • U.S. Air Force • Veteran Boulder City, NV Resident, 82

   Victor R. Thomas, USAF Retired, died April 19, 2021, surrounded by his family. Services were May 1, 2021, at Faith Christian Church in Boulder City, NV. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the music department of Faith Christian Church. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.

   Victor is the son of Vernon and Doris (Maddox) Thomas and was born on July 21, 1938, on the family farm in Wallace Creek precinct, Greeley County, NE. Vic graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in June of 1960 as a second lieutenant wearing navigator wings. He attended pilot training in Georgia and began flying C-130s. In all, Vic flew into more than 40 countries and landed on 400 airfields in his flying career. While stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK, he flew C-130s with skis to land on the Greenland icecap and on ice islands in the Artic Ocean. Vic served one year in Vietnam in a non-flying job.

   When the pilot drawdown began under President Carter, Vic attended graduate school at the University of Arizona in Tucson. His career entered a new phase with a Master’s Degree in Management Engineering. After several years in those assignments, he was recalled to fly his beloved C-130 in Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX. The final four years of his career were spent at Nellis AFB, once again in the man power field. He retired from active duty in June, 1988.

   During his career he was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Metal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

   After retirement from the Air Force, Vic was employed as an agent for New York Life for several years. Next, he worked for Enterprise Rental Car until 2016. During those years he missed flying, so he joined Civil Air Patrol flying blood runs, Green Flag Missions and Search and Rescue. He was a 25 year member of CAP, retiring in 2016. Vic was a 37 year member of Rotary (North Las Vegas and Boulder City Sunrise). On the board of Lend-a-Hand, a volunteer at the Southern Nevada Veteran’s Home, a member of the Patriot Guard and a faithful member of the Faith Christian Church of Boulder City.

   He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sandra Thomas; daughter, Trish Nixon (Kevin); son, Mark Thomas (Debbie); stepson, Chris Baker (Trisha); sisters, Janet Porter (Dick) and Donna Tinker (David); six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and a stepdaughter, Nicolle Baker.