Howard Lamb

Howard Lamb passed away November 24, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney NE. He was born in Bassett, Nebraska Oct 8, 1924 to Charles and Ruth Lamb. He attended elementary school in rural Rock County and graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett in 1942. Two years later he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve at Notre Dame University. After service in the Pacific Theater of Operations, he was released to inactive duty in 1946. He returned to Nebraska, was a member of Si Sigma Tau, a national engineering honor society, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1949. That same year, Howard married Josephine Kellenbarger of Anselmo NE. For the next 6 years Howard worked for International Harvester and they lived in Omaha, NE; Phoenix AZ; and Chicago, IL. During that time they had two sons: Philip, of Yakima WA, and David of Anselmo NE. In 1955 Howard and his family moved to Anselmo NE to the Kellenbarger farm. There they raised corn, cattle, and two boys. In 1976, Howard was elected to the Nebraska Legislature. He served for 16 years. During his time as state senator Howard served as chairman of both the Executive Board and the Transportation Committee, and as vice chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. Howard was a member of President George H. W. Bush’s delegation to observe the first free elections in Romania, May 20, 1990. Three of his awards have been the Senator of the Year award from the Nebraska Stock Growers Association in 1978, the Silver Eagle award from Nebraska Farm Bureau in 1995, and the Nebraska Bankers Association’s Agribusiness Recognition Award in 2009. In 1997 Howard was inducted into the University of Nebraska Agricultural Engineering Hall of Fame. In 1989 Howard managed to pass a legislative bill which provided $100 million in property tax relief. As a Custer Public Power Director in the 1970’s, Howard, along with University of Nebraska Ag Engineers and Custer personnel, was active in developing “Off Peak” irrigation. This system saved the district considerable money, was adopted by other rural districts, and is still in use today. Howard was very proud of these two accomplishments. Howard has served on the board of Jennie M. Melham Memorial Hospital in Broken Bow; vice president and director of KRVN Rural Radio Association in Lexington; president, and director of the Custer County Public Power District; Director, Federal Land Bank Association of Broken Bow; and president of the Anselmo-Merna Board of Education. In addition, Howard was president of the Custer County Extension Board, and helped organize and was the first president of the Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards. Howard was a member of the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement, Agriculture Builders Nebraska, Nebraska Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, the Republican Party, United Methodist Church, and American Legion Post 50. Howard was born and raised in Rock County on the Niobrara River, farmed and ranched for 50 years in Dale Valley and the sandhills. He received an education at the University and in the Military. He served in government for 16 years where he traveled the world, met world leaders, and always represented his local communities. Later in life he visited the Mediterranean, Middle East, Australia, Panama, and most of the U.S. He loved and lived with a wonderful woman for 65 years, and raised a family. Howard developed respect and friendships in any situation. How can anyone ask for a better life? Howard Lamb was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Josephine, one brother, two sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law. He is survived by his son Philip (Cindy) of Yakima WA, son David (Donalee) of Anselmo NE, 4 grandsons, Christopher (Jen) of Bellingham WA, Colin (Tristen) of Ellensburg WA, Jason of Anselmo NE, Rodney of Anselmo NE, one granddaughter Elizabeth Lamb of Yakima WA, great-granddaughter Jane Lamb of Ellensburg WA, sister Ruth Johnson of Lebanon MO, nieces Carol (Stanley) Bowman of Lebanon MO, and Linda Johnson of Los Angeles CA. Funeral services will be held on Monday November 30, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Merna, with Pastor Bill Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Merna Cemetery with Military Honors. Govier Bros. Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be held on Sunday November 29, 1 PM to 6 PM with the family greeting friends 4 PM to 6 PM at Govier Bros. Mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the Merna United Methodist Church or the Anselmo Merna School Foundation.