Stanley W. Hart

Stanley W. Hart

Jan. 27, 1923 - Aug. 31, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. — Stanley W. Hart, born Jan. 27, 1923, on a farm outside Bartley, Neb., passed away in Lincoln on Aug. 31, 2017, in the midst of his loving, grieving family.

He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 65 years, Patricia A. Hart, on April 21, 2017; his parents, DeWitt D. and Nancy Margaret Hart, his brother, Marion and his sister, Letha Cameron.

Stan is survived by his three children, Jane Hart of Kansas City, Mo., Bradley T. Hart and Margaret A. Kuhl, his son-in-law, Paul C. Kuhl, all of Lincoln; and granddaughter, Emily Kuhl of Flagstaff, Ariz.;, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Stan graduated from Bartley High School in 1940. Following World War II, he went to college on the GI Bill and received his bachelor’s degree in education from what is now Northern Colorado University in Greeley, Colo., in 1949, and later obtained his masters degree in school administration. It was at Greeley that he met a pretty young co-ed named Pat whom he wed on June 15, 1952. Stan was a public school teacher, coach and educator in Nebraska schools for 36 years. His career included serving as principal at Hartley, Bethany and Holmes Elementary Schools in Lincoln.

One of the enduring hallmarks of Stan’s life was his military service in World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in mid-1942 and was assigned to the 314th Fighter Squadron in the 324th Fighter Group of the Twelfth Air Force. After more than 91 missions, including one Stan led that resulted in his receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was sent home on 21 days leave. He was in the United States when V-E day occurred and when the Japanese surrendered. He was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant in October 1945.

After retirement, Stan renewed old ties and friendships by attending annual reunions of the 314th Group, the 324th Squadron, the P40 Pilots Association and the P47 Pilots Association. He proudly displayed his vanity license plate, “P47 Jug.” At age 90, he received the French Legion of Honor, awarded by France to those showing great gallantry to French citizenry while on French soil.

Stan had membership in Gateway Sertoma for several decades. He chose Sertoma because of his admiration for the work it did for the hearing impaired, and was instrumental in their partnership with the Barkley Center for Hearing and Speech at the University. He also enjoyed in membership in the Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators.

He always enjoyed his friends in the ROMEOS lunch group, and in the informal coffee group that met after Tuesdays’ morning masses at St. Joseph’s Church. He was a super Husker fan and attended many Husker events with Pat and Brad, including football games, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball games.

He lived a long and fruitful life, and along with Pat, raised strong and loving daughters, and sought and achieved the best for his son, Brad. He was an inspiration for so many nieces, nephews, friends and stranger alike. He loved unconditionally. He was proud of his Depression-era roots and the hard work and unusual route that brought him to the city, and school administration, and the lifelong love of that cute co-ed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 7900 Trendwood Drive, with Monsignor Liam M. Barr celebrating the Mass. Burial with Military Honors to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Rosary and visitation was Monday at Butherus Maser and Love Funeral Home, 4040 A St, Lincoln.

Memorials are suggested to Gateway Sertoma Club, designated for the Nebraska Hearing Aid Bank program.