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Doug graduated from UNL in 1965, with a B.S. in Mathematics. Having graduated in the top 3% of his class he was a member of Innocents Society and was a Career Scholar. Doug served in the Army National Guard. He was a member of the Association of Systems Management, Interfraternity Board of Advisors and Association for Educational Data Systems. Doug died February of 1975.
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Rosemary Long (Jamison)
The first time I saw Doug in action, so to speak, was sophomore year during an assembly where the final candidates for Student Council were pleading their case, asking for our votes. I remember Doug because his brief single message was that who we voted for wasn't as important as the act of voting itself. Quite wise at a young age, not to mention politically savvy!I had quite a crush on Doug - on and off - during our high school years. Alas, he did not "crush" back, but we did have an interesting if somewhat complicated friendship. Yes, I know, we were observed holding hands in the hall before Octet and also during Choir. Appearances are, however, deceiving.
I also remember that Doug was determined to earn his "L" and pursued, and met, that goal on the track team.
Doug was witty, funny, clever, fun, smart, so accomplished - on the surface quite "together". Then there was his more pensive, thoughtful, and perhaps melancholy side. Occasionally he would share that side with me. Gone too soon. RIP
Nancy E. Stark
At LHS I was never a part of Doug Thom's world, nor he of mine. I however, was in awe of him when hearing of his accomplishments and his achievements as we moved on into our college days. It wasn't until our 10 year reunion that we really met and talked. We learned we lived a block from each other in 5th grade.
I would come to Lincoln for meetings at the College of Architecture and we would visit and often go to his parents in Plattesmouth. His mother, Flo, and his stepfather, Carl, were endearing and Doug always brought gifts wrapped in newspapers with string. His brand of humor...
There was much to admire about Doug's ability to plan ahead, to be a homeowner early in his career, to have nice things, and his goal of becoming a millionaire by age 30. I think he would be on the cutting edge of all the technology these days...He worked hard for IBM in Lincoln, and very successfully moved up in the company. He was transferring to work in Chicago, but training first in LA.
I didn't hear from him for a long time, and then one day he called saying he was in Minneapolis. Not going to Chicago...Minneapolis was his new transfer location. He found a great apartment in an older neighborhood, Kenwood. It fit him. He seemed to love getting settled in. It was September of 1974. Around the Holidays he called to say he was in the hospital for mental exhaustion. He went through therapy and gained strength and began to work again.
Some of us were planning a ski trip up on the north shore of Lake Superior. It was February, 1975. Doug wanted to go, but never made the trip. He passed away just days before, after coming home from a good morning at work and lunch. Strength comes from a mighty source, greater than we can imagine, as I called and spoke with his parents.
There is a scholarship in Doug's name at the College of Architecture in Lincoln. He seemed to enjoy architecture, particularly the classical more historic works. I would only hope he is pleased with the students his name has supported, and I try to share with each one the merits, the leadership, the goals Doug had set for himself, and most of all his love of friends...
Doug was a dear Friend to so many of us at LHS and beyond...His life so promising and so tragic to lose...
Nancy Stark