Donald James Taylor
Born in Dayton, Ohio on March 6, 1933, Don Taylor committed his life to learning and teaching. Don was an alumnus of the California Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin and eventually the University of Arizona where his love of Physics and Astronomy led him to be part of a team of three who in 1969 discovered a pulsar in the Crab Nebula. In 1971 Don became a professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he would go on to teach over 8000 students during his career. As an influential and pioneering member of the UNL Astronomy Department, Don helped to develop specifications for the 30-inch reflecting telescope that was installed at the Behlen Observatory in 1972, and later oversaw installation of the solar-viewing Minnich Telescope. He also secured funding for the Student Observatory that sits atop the Memorial Stadium Garage. Don’s passion for the skies was undeniable, and for decades, he was a neighborhood fixture, searching the night sky with homemade telescopes and inviting anyone interested to join him. To have darker skies in the city, he invented a tool, essentially a light bulb on a pole, to trick the street lights to shut off. It brought Don great pride and joy to share a view of the majestic rings of Saturn or a pristine image of the craters of the moon through one of his telescopes. Don’s other hobbies included tennis and table tennis, both of which he played in many leagues. He was a longtime member of the Woods tennis community in Lincoln. Tennis led him to his loving wife, Mary, who was by his side, both on and off the court for much of his life. Don died peacefully, with Mary by his side on May 28th, 2020. Don was a loving, committed and generous husband, father and step-father. Don’s survivors include sons Brook Taylor (Elizabeth) and Glenn Taylor, step daughters Philippa Stasiuk (David) and Sophie Damaso (John), grandchildren Rowan, Nikola, Iris, Jane, Gia and a grandson due in July. Donations in his memory can be made to the Wachiska Audubon Society. 4547 Calvert Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 https://www.wachiskaaudubon.org/copy-of-officers-comittees No service at this time. Condolences may be placed using the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Scott Alan Carpenter
Scott Alan Carpenter, 54, peacefully passed away Thursday, May 21st at his home in Pickrell, Nebraska. Scott was a graduate of Milford High School Class of 1984. Those left to cherish his memory include his brother Brad Carpenter, his mother Norva (Williams) Carpenter and host of relatives and close friends. Scott was preceded in death by his brother Mike Carpenter. No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: For condolences, please use the form below.
Pickerell United Methodist Church c/o Melvin Winkle, 404 W Pickrell Road, Pickrell, NE 68422
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Travis Lee Vatanasombat
Travis Lee Vatanasombat passed away on May 26, 2020 after a valiant eight year battle with cancer. Travis was born on September 23, 1982 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Troy and Cindy Vatanasombat. Alongside his younger brother Tyler, Travis enjoyed camping and jet skiing. Family trips to visit aunts, uncles, and cousins in Thailand were special adventures for the four of them. Travis graduated from Norfolk High School and Northeast Community College before moving to Lincoln. Travis was a valuable employee in his twenty years with Hy-Vee. It was at Hy-Vee that Travis met Ainsley Ann Lyons in 2012. Travis ensured they had many adventures whether it be a weekend getaway to KC, a trip across the country, or dragging Ainsley to Home Depot. Travis and Ainsley were wed on July 26, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was the best day ever, until November 14, 2017 when their daughter Chloe Ann was born. Chloe’s snuggles and kisses lifted his spirits when he wasn’t feeling well. Daddy and daughter tractor rides and dancing to classic rock in the kitchen were just a few of the many things that brought huge smiles to their faces. Travis looked forward to the annual camping trips to Yankton, South Dakota with the guys. His hobbies included woodworking, house projects, and darts. Family and friends were the lucky recipients of his creative and thoughtful handcrafted gifts. Travis has so many friends that have been with him through the years. Travis was always quick to be there for them to lend a hand or a hammer. Their friends were just as quick with their support before he or Ainsley even had a chance to ask. Travis is survived by his wife Ainsley Vatanasombat, daughter Chloe Vatanasombat, parents Troy and Cindy Vatanasombat, brother Tyler Vatanasombat, grandma Charlene Bernat, Ainsley’s parents Mike and Susan Lyons, her brother Dylan (Catherine) Lyons, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Travis was preceded in death by his grandpa Charles Bernat, grandparents Singkone and Sepow Vatanasombat, and paternal aunts and uncles. There will be no services at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For condolences, please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Nancy Ann Hinnah
From Lincoln, Nebraska Born on October 22, 1940. Passed away on May 23, 2020. No service at this time. For condolences, please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Sharon Jane Hugelman
Sharon Hugelman, 82, passed away May 21, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Sharon, formerly of Kearney, Nebraska, and later, Denver, Colorado, was born at her parents’ home on March 20, 1938, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Charles Henry Luther and Alyma Geraldine Farley Luther, the only girl and youngest of three children. She attended school in Kearney, and after having a family, pursued a nursing degree in the LPN program at Central Nebraska Technical College. She finished top tier in her State Boards, and worked several years at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney before relocating to Denver. Sharon’s vocational life was accomplished, and she worked in skilled nursing for many years in Denver at the Valley View Medical Center, and later in private practice in the disciplines of pediatric medicine, family practice, and cardiology. And although she loved her work and provided care for many over the years, her heart was always home. Sharon could most often be found in her garden or her kitchen, as she canned the produce she grew and baked pies from the fruit trees that graced her yard. She was a self-taught seamstress, and was domestically gifted – a consummate homemaker, which she passed down to her progeny. Sharon loved dancing, and traveled to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and several Caribbean islands. She was a voracious reader, followed politics closely, and enjoyed tending her flowers, especially her favorite – the Colorado Columbine. After returning to her native state in 1996, she spoke often of her beloved Colorado, the experiences she had there, and the friends she made. She always considered Denver her home. Left to grieve her passing is her husband, Les; her sons, Rick and David; her daughter Mona; six grandchildren (Shane, Michelle, Emilie, Patrick, Jerod, and Natalie); eight great-grandchildren (Jacob, Breanna, Ruby, Lauren, Ben, Wil, Max, and Ellie); many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Reunited with her in Glory are her parents, her son Dan, and her brothers, Boyd and Roger. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date, with burial to be made in the family plot at the Kearney Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Nebraska Chapter. For condolences, please fill out the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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