Richard Voeltz

Richard "Dick" E. Voeltz, 82, of Lincoln passed away December 19, 2023, at Gateway Vista. He was born August 31, 1941, in Ellsworth, Kansas to Wilhelm and Lucina Voeltz. He earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Botany from Kansas State University, and a Master of Librarianship degree from Emporia State University. He married Barbara Betts in 1968, and their daughter Michele was born in 1973.

He was a science librarian at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 43 years, from 1968 until 2011. While at UNL, he served for many years as treasurer of the UNL chapter of the American Association of University Professors. He received an award for Creating an Atmosphere of Mutual Respect from the Association of Classified Library Personnel in 1997 and the Sigma Xi award for outstanding science librarian in 2001.

He served his church and community through his participation in the Warren Foundation and the East Campus Community Organization. He was an avid participant in the annual CROP walk, which raises funds for the Church World Service. He last participated in the walk in 2021, in his wheelchair, with assistance from Barbara and Gateway Vista Senior Living.

Richard was an early adopter of the Internet. He had his own business doing online searches of science databases beginning in the mid-1980s.

Richard had a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of many subjects. His family enjoyed quizzing him on the English and Latin names of plants they came across, and he nearly always knew the answer. He was also knowledgeable about and enjoyed discussing history, especially the history of agriculture and of World War II. He always enjoyed Bible studies and discussions of the Bible and Christian faith.

Over the years Richard had many hobbies, including reading, hiking, biking, woodworking, and gardening. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

He was legally blind his whole life, although this never kept him from pursuing his hobbies and career, or from being an active and thoughtful presence in family life.

He is survived and missed by his wife Barbara, his daughter and son-in-law Michele and Andy Rau, two grandchildren, his sister and brother-in-law Lola and Vic Suelter, and many other family members and friends.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 5200 R Street. Memorials may be directed to New Hope United Methodist Church or UNL Foundation for the Library.