Niel L. Tubbs Obituary (1924 - 2015)

Niel L. Tubbs, 90 years of age, of Beatrice passed away at the Beatrice Good Samaritan Center Sunday morning, February 15, 2015. He was born March 19, 1924 to Carl and Winifred (Wallace) Tubbs in Edgemont, South Dakota. He attended Edgemont High School graduating valedictorian of his class in 1942. After helping his family with the Tubbs Family Cattle Ranch and Vale Farm Dairy he attended Chadron State College graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Chemistry. He married Verna Lee Kindig in 1953 and taught at Rock County High School, the Island of Guam and last at Beatrice High School with a career that spanned 38 years. He was a distinguished educator with numerous awards for excellence including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 1987 and from the Nebraska Section of the American Chemical Society Award for Excellence in High School Chemistry Teaching in 1974, 1979, and the Regional Award in 1984. Niel was recognized as a Friend of Education by the Beatrice Educational Foundation and recently was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He was highly regarded as a teacher and mentor and beloved by hundreds of students over his career. While being known as a demanding teacher, it was this trait that many students appreciated in later life. He often received letters of appreciation from former students which brought him great satisfaction. He also worked as a park ranger for the National Park Service at both the Homestead National Monument and Mount Rushmore. He had a wide range of interests and hobbies. As a young man he was involved with music both as a pianist, accompanist, and drum major, and enjoyed singing in the choir. He also enjoyed flying as a young man and became a licensed pilot and owned his own plane. Later in life travelling and gardening became his passions. He became a Master Gardener, tending his own gardens and helped many local residents save their own pin-oak trees. Feeling a strong sense of commitment to his community he worked tirelessly in the First Presbyterian Church, American Field Service, Silver-Haired Legislature, Meals on Wheels, Beatrice Library, Homestead National Monument, and Retired Teachers Association among many others. He was one of the organizers of SENSE (Southeastern Nebraska Science Educators Association). His family was a source of great pride to him from his children to his many grandchildren and extended family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers Robert, Wallace, and Edward. He is survived by his loving wife Verna Lee, four children, Cynthia (Tom) Berve of Papillion, NE, Patrice (Hardice) Jones of Southington, CT, Craig(Laurie) Tubbs of St. Louis, MI, Laurel Tubbs and partner George Acevedo of Auroro, CO, and sister Joy Hoar, and numerous nieces and nephews. His grandchildren include Christopher (Kim), Daniel, Brendan (Stephanie) Berve, Brittany, Devon, and Tia Jones, Zachary and Brooke Tubbs. He has one great-grandchild Britton Berve. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Dr. Jimmy Shelbourn officiating. Interment will be at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. There will be no viewing but a register book will be available for signatures Tuesday from 9-9:00 with the family greeting friends from 6-7:30 at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice. A memorial has been established to the First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund and the Beatrice Area Retired School Personnel Scholarship Fund with the funeral home in charge. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Wednesday at the church. Sign Niel's online guest book and view his video tribute when completed at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.