Dr. Allen Ray Hohensee

Allen Ray Hohensee died 5/24/24, surrounded by his family, after 10 years with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Al was born on July 15, 1942 to Emma (Kolar) and Clarence Hohensee in a Lincoln home near 21st and O. He attended Capitol grade school then Everett Jr. High. He actively participated in varsity football and basketball at Southeast High School, graduating in 1961.

Al had jobs at a fast food restaurant and Smiley’s Conoco during high school and had planned on continuing them until a friend persuaded him to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for no reason other than it seemed like it was what everyone else was doing. He loved college, graduating in 1965, then working as a Graduate Assistant doing research on chicken chromosomes. This led to medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Toward the end of his medical training, Al undertook a preceptorship alongside Dr. Lee at Bryan Hospital. After graduating medical school in 1969, he practiced family medicine with Drs. Harley and Schwenke, followed by 8 years of emergency medicine at Bryan Hospital, 12 years in internal medicine at the VA, and another 12 years in reviewing disability claims for the Federal Government.

During his medical preceptorship at Bryan, fate intervened with a serendipitous meeting with a med tech student Susan Russell, which he fondly recalled as “The best day of my life.” They were married on May 24, 1969. Al, an instrument-rated pilot, and Sue found joy in soaring through the skies together in a small 7770 Piper airplane. They loved spending time on their land, planting thousands of trees. Avid Husker fans, they regularly cheered on the volleyball team from the front row. Al was a financial whiz and was always keeping busy trying to surpass the performance of the S&P 500.

Al is survived by his adoring wife of 55 years, Susan, of Lincoln; his children Dr. Samantha Mack (Bryan) of Denver, Russell (Catherine) of Vail, Colorado; his grandchildren Savannah (8), and twins Claire & Hudson (6) of Denver; his brother Jack (Sheryl) of Omaha; sister-in-law Sally Russell of Cataldo, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Emma Hohensee, Susan’s parents, Bill & Betty Russell, and sisters Darlene Holbert & Gladys Purcell.

He recently said “I had a really good life. My only regret is leaving Susan….”

In lieu of flowers, please send a personal note to Susan letting her know your memories of Al.

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