Hugh P. Cowdin

Dr. Hugh P. Cowdin passed peacefully on Saturday, January 18th. Preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Juliette L. Cowdin. He is survived by wife, Catherine Rokes; children, Juliette, Hugh Jr, Colleen, Daniel and Peter; Catherine’s children, John, Mark, and Adam; 17 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Marquette University, Hugh was drafted into the Army and served for two years during and after the Korean War. His first dozen years as a Journalism professor were spent at Saint Joseph’s College (Indiana) and Duquesne University (Pittsburgh). After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, Hugh was hired in 1968 by the University of Nebraska at Omaha to serve as Chairman of the Journalism Department. During his 27 years at UNO, his leadership and vision were responsible for unprecedented academic growth, as Journalism merged with Speech and became the Department of Communication, and subsequently as the Department became a School. Hugh retired in 1995. After retirement, Hugh was deeply involved with the Omaha Press Club, serving as a member of its Board of Directors, and culminating in his induction into the Omaha Press Club Hall of Fame.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 10:00am at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church 1920 N. 102nd St. Omaha. Visitation Friday 4-6pm, with a Wake Service at 6pm at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries 72nd Street Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Hugh P. and Juliette L. Cowdin Communications Scholarship” through the University of Nebraska Foundation.