Dave Newell

Dave Newell, age 69, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on June 26, 2016 after battling ALS. Born in Oakland, California, Dave graduated from Bancroft Public High School in Nebraska. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Norfolk Junior College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he also did graduate work in History. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1976 and was a Vietnam veteran. As a life-long Democrat, he served as the State President and National Committeeman for the Nebraska Young Democrats and as Chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party from 1984 to 1985. He was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 1977, representing Northeast Douglas County from 1977 to 1985. During his tenure, he served as the Chair of the Urban Affairs and Miscellaneous Subject Committee and spear-headed the repeal of the sales tax on food. He went on to serve on the Board of Governors at Metropolitan Community College from 2002 to 2014, serving as Chairman from 2008 to 2009. He advocated tirelessly for affordable access to education, preserving the environment, and the rights of the less fortunate. He continued to do so in his final months by supporting LB1056, the Patient Choice at End of Life Act. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern Margaretta Buchholz Newell Simonsen and Ivan Raymond Newell. He was survived by his wife, Arlene; his children, John and Sarah; his grandchildren, Madison and Grace; his five siblings, Sherry Stanfield, Bert, Ralph, Glenn, and Scott Newell, their children, and a large network of extended family and devoted friends. Ever the nonconformist, he did not want a traditional funeral. He acquiesced to a "celebration of life" open house, which will be held August 7, 2016 at the Peter Kiewit Lodge of Mahoney State Park from noon to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts should be sent to the Metropolitan Community College Foundation, PO Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103, or, the ALS Association Mid-America Chapter, 10730 Pacific Suite 103, Omaha, NE 68114. The memo line designation should read: "In Honor of Dave Newell."