Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Verne Lewellen (1924 - 2017)

Communities across the Nebraska panhandle have lost a good friend.

Verne Lewellen, a retired teacher, coach and school administrator, died last Friday (4/21/17) at his home in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  He was 92 years old.

For many thousands of students who benefitted from his soft-spoken style and inspirational leadership, his passing brought back many memories – and the realization of just how lucky we were to have crossed paths with this gentle man.

A respected leader in the many panhandle communities where he and his wife, Erma, have lived, he was a Nebraska native and a life-long supporter of Chadron State College.

Many public tributes to "Coach Lewellen" have taken place in recent years, and deservedly so.  Each of us who knew him and respected him will likely carry warm memories of him for the rest of our lives – and try to emulate the many attributes of this special person.  

Rest in peace, Coach Lew.

To Erma, Curt, Tammi, and the rest of the Lewellen family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.