January 5, 1962 – June 18, 2026

David passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, as the sun was rising surrounded by his sisters.

Born in Pender, Nebraska, David was the oldest of four and the only boy.  He and his siblings were raised in Pender and Ainsworth before moving to Fremont when he was nine.  As a child, David loved animals, especially horses and dogs. He loved nature and spending time with his dad. He was active in scouting, earning his Eagle Scout.

Following high school graduation in 1980, David moved to Lawrence, Kansas to pursue a degree in large animal veterinary medicine.  A car accident in June 1982 resulted in his spinal cord injury and subsequent quadriplegia.  While traumatic, this crisis brought the family together and showcased David’s unwavering positivity and commitment to “live life in the moment”.

David graduated from University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in broadcast journalism.  He went on to work for the Equal Opportunity Commission as a Human Rights Commissioner and then as a Student Ombudsman for UNL before retiring.

David never met a stranger.  His twinkling brown eyes, warm personality and smile drew you in, along with his enthusiastic conversations about the weather, his trucks, his dogs, his yard, his house renovations – you get the idea.

David’s loves included fostering dogs, racing, music, friends and family. He was eternally optimistic and positive and always had big plans that he loved to talk about. Until the very end, he greeted everyone with “Hello, how are you? It’s a beautiful day.”

He is preceded in death by his parents, David W. Temple and Marzee (Temple) Conway and numerous beloved pets.

David is survived by his sisters Gina Rozanek, Lana (Brad) Temple-Plotz; Leigh (Bill) Temple-Nanson; stepparents, Jean Castillo and Ian Conway; nephews and nieces, Logan (Dusty), Ethan (Jenna), Elliott, Quinn, Tarynn (Jordan), Cortland, Sam (Nick), Anthony, Shalynn (Nick), Isabella, William and Avery; great nieces and nephews Jiselle, Lilly, Eric, Everett, Betty, Harper, Vivian, Millie, and Emilio.

David’s chosen family, Brian Hale, Jen Wagner, and Rory Pickel enriched his life immensely and eased his burden.

David’s Celebration of Life is Sunday, August 2, 2026 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at the Lincoln Firefighters Reception Hall.  Please come dressed to celebrate his life. Racing and graphic t-shirts and casual attire welcome.

Memorials may be sent to The Grace Space or Capital Humane Society.

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