Harold G. Neihart

Harold Gene Neihart was born on August 5, 1932 to Ralph Louis and Alice (Kraus) Neihart in Crete, Nebraska.  He was the youngest of three brothers and he graduated from Crete High School in 1950, where he excelled in Industrial Arts and all sports. 

He served his country as a Navy engineman 2^nd class on the USS Askari from Nov. 1951 – Oct. 1955 during the Korean Conflict, being stationed at Naval Base San Diego.  On one of the ship’s missions he was able to visit Japan and help some of the orphans there.

On March 9, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Fay Lurene Stich, at Grace Methodist Church in Crete.  Together they made homes in Chula Vista, CA, Lincoln, NE, LaVista, NE, and Millard, NE where they lived in the same house for almost 52 years. 

They had three daughters: Ianne Fay, Tammy Jean, and Penne Rae.  The whole family shared a love of animals, having dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, fish, and turtles.

 In later years the couple resided in an Orchard Village townhouse in Omaha, NE, at Silver Ridge Assisted Living in Gretna, NE, Hillcrest Cottages in Papillion, NE (Harold solo), and Brookestone Village in Omaha, NE.

Harold joined the Nebraska Safety Patrol (now called the Nebraska State Patrol) on Oct. 1, 1964 and served in Troop Area A until he retired in 1990.  He was a trooper on the road for many years and then worked in the criminal and drug control divisions including auto fraud and theft, homicide, riot control, and undercover.  He was one of the first polygraph examiners as well.  He provided security at the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska football games and for visiting dignitaries.  He loved to meet people, talk to people and help people.  He enjoyed his work immensely and was proud to be an officer of the law.

On November 2, 1969 Trooper #128 captured a fugitive who was on the FBI’s most-wanted list, during a shoot-out in which they both were injured.  For this, Harold received the C.J. Sanders Award for Valor and in 1994 the story was told on television as he, his family and fellow patrolmen reenacted the event for the television show “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol – The Old Pro”.  It can still be seen on YouTube today.

In 1991 Harold became the Mayor’s Security Officer for P.J. Morgan in Omaha, NE.  His duties included being the driver and bodyguard.

He was a member of S.T.A.N. - the State Troopers Association of Nebraska and “The Fuzz that Wuzz” (law enforcement retirees) and also the VFW.

Being a talented carpenter and woodworker, Harold built travel trailers for Lincraft in Lincoln, NE as well as parts of his own homes from the ground up (inside and out), furniture, and many decorative, useful, or funny craft items which he gave away or sold.  He was a jack-of-all-trades and enjoyed working on all types of motor vehicles – from motorcycles to motorhomes. 

Happily and tirelessly he helped his family and others with any project: you needed something, he had it; you named it, he could do it!  He loved to teach people how to do things for themselves and he could bring fun and hilarity to any gathering! 

Hunting, fishing, trapshooting, camping, and outdoor sports and games filled many of his days.  He and Fay were Nebraska Cornhusker fans.

He and Fay traveled to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Jamaica to visit relatives and friends, sightsee, square dance and camp - progressing from a tent to a tent- trailer to a small trailer to motorhomes.  Wherever they went they were eager to learn, and toured many museums and nature sites, as well as attending a variety of performances.

They were members of the Gretna Wheeling Eights square dance club, Rolling Squares round dance, square dance, and camping club, and the Winnebago International Travelers.  They sponsored many first-time square dancers, worked on committees, held offices, and earned awards for their dedication.

Harold was devoted to his family and friends throughout his entire life.  He took part in athletic and musical events with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He taught all his daughters and grandchildren to trapshoot, as well as mentoring other young people.  He was a member of the Ashland Gun Club and won awards in competitions.

Harold and Fay were long-time active members of FaithWestwood United Methodist Church in Millard.

Harold’s wife Fay died on December 23, 2023.  His parents are deceased as well as his brothers and sisters-in-law: Kenneth Eugene (Laura) Neihart and Donald Dean (Lavern) Neihart.  Also deceased is his granddaughter Katrina Jolene Herrick.

Survivors include daughters: Ianne F. (John) Wolken of Gretna, NE; Tammy J. (Dean) Andersen of Gretna, NE; and Penne R. (Alan) Bankson of Gretna, NE.

 Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren: Gregory Gene (Cheryl) Wolken and children Norah and Caleb of Weston, WI; Terence Scott (Katie) Herrick and children Reagan, Liam, Kaeden and Waylon of Amherst, NH; David John Wolken of Boulder, CO; and Lana J (Dalton) Frecks of Kentucky.   Also: sister-in-law Gail (Jim) Pratt of Eagle, NE and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for later designation.

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