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Funeral services for 77-year old Lee Dick of Scottsbluff are Thurs, March 23, 2023, at 11:00 at The Rock Church in Scottsbluff with Rev. Dr. Tyson Lambertson officiating.
The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Lee’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Cremation will follow the funeral.
Visitation is Wed, March 22, from 2-5:00 at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff.
Memorials may be made in Lee’s name to the Scottsbluff Public Schools Foundation to benefit students at ReConnect or the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation for those needing assistance in the WNCC Math Lab.
Online condolences may be left at reverencefuneralparlor.com.
Lee R Dick was born November 6, 1945, in Fairbury, Nebraska to Abe and Eleanor (Newcomb) Dick. He died unexpectedly Sunday, March 19, 2023, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.
Lee developed an admirable work ethic in his youth, working on ranches, helping in hay fields, and delivering newspapers. Lee’s father was a school superintendent and the family moved to various communities for his career.
Lee graduated from Rock River High School in Rock River, Wyo, then attended the University of Wyoming on a basketball scholarship.
He later transferred to Chadron State College (CSC) where he continued playing basketball. He graduated from CSC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968.
While a student at CSC, Lee met Bonnie Lou Johnson – the love of his life. The couple united in marriage on August 9, 1970, and later welcomed two children: Tiffanie and Andrew.
Lee followed his father into education and accepted his first teaching position with Morrill Public Schools. He stayed for 30 years, serving students and families as a junior high math teacher, coach of many sports, and one year as Athletic Director.
Lee received his Master of Science in Education degree from CSC in 1974 and finally left the Morrill Public Schools in 1999 when he was selected as the Activities Director for Scottsbluff Public Schools (SBPS), a position he proudly held for 13 years until his retirement in 2012.
In 2008, he was recognized as the District VI Administrator of the Year.
Lee’s work as a lifelong educator did not end with his retirement. After retirement, and up until his passing, he tutored in the Math Lab at Western Nebraska Community College, taught at ReConnect in SBPS, and taught as a substitute.
In addition to his work as an educator, Lee provided for his family working a short time at the sugar factory and roofing and painting houses off and on throughout the summer months.
Eventually he and Bonnie could be found selling fireworks on the hot summer days. However, his passion and true vocation was teaching.
Lee dedicated his life to serving others, inspiring a multitude of young lives throughout his 43 plus years in education. Lee was a tireless worker and constantly looked for ways to give of his abilities.
He stepped up whenever needed and, in any capacity, to help students achieve their goals. He was known to referee countless volleyball games in addition to his regular responsibilities as a teacher and could be found on the court officiating as recently as the 2022 fall high school sports season.
Lee was always eager to support students and advocate for their needs, especially those who were disadvantaged. He was kind and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to keeping students’ best interests at heart.
Not only was Lee a leader at the schools where he worked, he was a leader in his family life. He cherished family time and made many memories while attending his children and grandchildren’s school events and sporting activities.
Lee also enjoyed spending time gardening in his backyard and on his small farm outside of Scottsbluff, where he planted numerous trees and built a trout hatchery on Nine Mile Creek.
Lee and Bonnie shared a wonderful life together enjoying annual trips to various parts of Mexico, regularly attending Scottsbluff High School and WNCC sporting events, and taking trips to Prairie Winds Casino.
Lee will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years Bonnie Dick of Scottsbluff; children Tiffanie Taylor (Mike) of Scottsbluff and Dr Andrew Dick (Shana) of Scottsbluff; grandchildren Olivia Taylor of Scottsbluff, Jadyn and Jaxton Dick of Scottsbluff, and Tristan Donelson (Olivia) and their son Archie, of Colorado; brother Bill Dick (Ricke) of Lincoln, NE; sister Nancy Ellis (Marty) of Colorado; sister-in-law Sandy Johnson of O’Neill, NE; brothers-in-law Marvin Johnson (Chris) of Grand Island and Fred Pinkerton (Catherine) of Michigan; along with many other extended family members and a host of friends.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents Abe and Eleanor; and sister Barbara Pinkerton.
Reverence Funeral Parlor of Scottsbluff is in charge of arrangements for Lee Dick