Dale R Nearhood, 93, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2014, in Scottsdale, AZ. Dale was born in Lincoln, NE and graduated from Plattsmouth High School, Plattsmouth, NE. Dale was a WWII Army veteran, heroically serving our country in combat in the European Theater from Normandy to the Rhine River, witnessing the liberation of France and surrender of Germany. He was wounded twice and awarded two Purple Hearts.
After the war he returned to Lincoln. In 1946, he married Viola Nielsen. They were happily married for 62 years. Dale worked the majority of his life for the HJ Heinz Co. In 1995 Dale and Viola moved to Scottsdale, AZ to be closer to their children and grandchildren. His enjoyment came from being with his family, many friends and watching Nebraska football games.
Dale is survived by his 3 children, Jim (Lisa), Janet (Stuart Epstein) and Richard (Corinne) Nearhood, and two grandchildren, Nicole and Nate Nearhood all of Scottsdale, AZ. Dale was predeceased in death by his dear wife, Viola, in 2009 with whom he now shares eternal love.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the University of Nebraska Foundation for the Nearhood Family Scholarship Fund, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI will miss your weekly phone calls.
Helen Hough Nearhood Wilson
I will miss your voice. You are now with your wife,parents and brothers.
May God Bless all of your family in Scottsdale.
Your niece: Candace Nearhood Stafford
On behalf of my wife Kathy and I, we send our deepest sympathy on your Dad's passing. Dale supported my efforts to join Heinz and I was fortunate enough to fill his position at Heinz after he retired and we stayed in touch over my 31 years with the company. He was always interested in the latest Heinz news and we enjoyed talking Husker football. We also fondly remember your Mother. They were a terrific couple and invited us the Ashland cabin a couple of times. You were fortunate to have him for many years and I was proud to have known him. We hope fond memories will ease your sadness.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad (like my dad) was one of the special one’s from The Greatest Generation (Tom Brokaw, 1998). It’s difficult to find people with the character and moral fiber that this era produced and I believe as children, we are all fortunate to have experienced their values and guiding hand in our upbringing. Good to know he went quietly and is now with your Mom. God bless.
Mel(Mike) and Darlene Michael
Leave a Tribute
Our Scout Master
Steve and I think fondly of your dad as our great scout master who spent a lot of his vacation time making life fun for a bunch of young guys. That photograph of the scouts you have in the photo gallery is one of our favorites. It was taken at the beginning of our hike over (and sleep out on top of) Flat Top Mountain in Colorado. In preparation for that trip, your dad and Sarg Hemphill had found old TV antennae had taught us how to make pack frames from them. And the tube tents we slept in he helped us make from plastic sheeting and duct tape. That thing served me well years later as a vagabond student in Europe. He even helped us make those felt mountain hats. We were well prepared, that’s for sure. But, as I recall it, all that preparation didn’t prevent us from being passed by a bunch of girl scouts as we were rising from a stormy sleep atop Flat Top! Many of our great memories were brought to us because of the energy, generosity, and kindness of your dad. We and many others will miss him a great deal. As for me, when I heard the news of his passing, I went and found my little green Heinz 57 pickle pin. All the best to you.
Doug Blomgren
Daddy’s Girl
Our Mom always told me that I was the one most like my Dad. And just like the boys he spent a lot of one-on-one time with me. I think it was uncommon for someone of his generation to include his daughter in traditional “boy” jobs but my Dad didn't care because if I wanted to learn something he would show me how to do it. He taught me how to work with tools, how to do yard work and fix things around the house. It was great quality time with my Dad. When I got older and owned my own home I really appreciated everything he taught me. Thanks, Dad.
Family Vacations
Our Dad loved to drive so when his two-week vacation came up every summer we were off in the car somewhere. One trip Dad decided to rent a pop up tent that was housed in a trailer like base. You would pull into a campsite, unhitch the trailer, secure the base and “pop up” the walls and ceiling of the tent. We camped in that thing all the way to and from Yellowstone Park. It was late in the summer and it actually snowed in several of the campgrounds. Needless to say it was no vacation for our mother. Dad might have had a good time, the kids might have had a good time, but my Mom had a terrible time, too much roughing it for her. Needless to say we never went camping again!