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Don Novak Obituary
Lt. Col USAF (Ret)
Age 82 - Dec 10, 2009
Bellevue. Survived by wife Jane; sons Dan and wife Maxine, Montgomery, AL, Don and wife Rachel, Bellevue, David and wife Joan, Como, CO, Douglas and wife Denise, Carlsbad, CA, Dale, Bellevue; daughters Debra and husband Jim Tompkins, Austin, TX, Diane and husband Charles Marti, Lincoln, NE; 25 grandchildren; 12 great-grand-children. Former Jr. ROTC Instructor at Bellevue East High School.
VISITATION from 2-4pm, Wednesday, December 16, Bellevue Memorial Chapel. Vigil Service Wednesday, December 16, 4pm, Bellevue Memorial Chapel. FUNERAL MASS Thursday, December 17, 11am St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, IA. In lieu of flowers, Memorials to ALS Foundation
Don Novak Memorial Fund, Keith Worthington Ch, NE Branch Office, 10730 Pacific at Shaker Place Ste 228 Omaha, NE 68114, 402-991-8788. BELLEVUE MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Heafey-Heafey-Hoffmann
Dworak-Cutler
22nd & Hancock, Bellevue 291-5000
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 25, 2009
Lt. Col Novak was my ROTC instructor in high school back in 1990. I was just told of his passing. My sympathies to his family and his friends. He will be deeply missed. Eugene Roberts ( Alamogordo, NM)
Carol Baker-Phillips
December 23, 2009
My deepest sympathy to your family. I am so sorry we can't be with you though you are in our thoughts and prayers. Col. Novak touched my heart many years ago as a mentor and a friend. He is loved and remembered by so many people
- Carol Baker-Phillips
Carl Comte
December 21, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Novak family during this time.
Lt Col Novak was both a mentor and a guide while I was in ROTC. He's touched the lives of many people.
Diane Drozdowski
December 20, 2009
Our condolences. Sorry we couldn't be with you all. You were all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Diane (Potter) Drozdowski and family
Peoria, AZ
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Randall Jacques
December 20, 2009
LtCol Don Novak was the first person aside from my father to teach me about honor and discipline. He set a great example to thousands of ROTC students over the years. We'll miss you Colonel, god bless.
Jeff Twitchell
December 19, 2009
My thoughts and prayers for the whole Novak Family.
Col. Novak inspired and guided us through high school, yet his teachings and wisdom help guide through our everyday lives. Be not saddened by this loss but be thankfull for his time here and the positive effect he has had on so many of our lives.
Che Russell
December 19, 2009
Col Novak was more than a teacher to me. He knew me & cared about me. I was going through a devastating time in my life as a senior @ Bellevue East. He was the only adult who asked me what was going on & gave me perspective on life...true mentorship:) During my 20 years of service in the USAF, I wanted to come back to Bellevue East & be the JROTC instructor & have the opportunity to affect young peoples' lives like he'd done for mine:)
Roy Shottenkirk
December 19, 2009
The Shottenkirk Family thoughts and prayers are with the Novak Family.
It has been several years since I had last seen Lt Col Novak. I had a get time learning from him in the class room has well as out of the class room. He will be surely missed.
Thank Don for your understanding and leadership thru out the years.
December 19, 2009
The cadets at Bellevue East miss you.
Timothy Jacques
Class of 1984
Gini
December 17, 2009
Colonel, thank you for all the time you spent with us JROTC youngsters. Your mentorship was so appreciated, and you will be remembered fondly.
Martha Watson
December 17, 2009
Don and Rachael,
My sympathy goes out to you. God will give you strength during this difficult time. God never fails.
Kelly Moore Pickering
December 16, 2009
Thank you Col Novak for the guidance, instruction, mentorship and of course just setting a fine example in both words and actions.
David Marsters
December 16, 2009
Heartfelt and sincere prayers from the entire Marsters Family. Col. Novak was a wonderful instructor to my brother Mike and I. As a mentor, he was second to none and he is fondly remembered, even 30 years after graduation. His impact went well beyond the halls of Bellevue East High School.
David Marsters, USCG Retired
Mike Marsters, USMC
Emily Hawkins
December 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your memories help ease your pain.
TSgt Kirby Hills, USAF RET.
December 16, 2009
My deepest condolences to the Novak Family. I had nothing but respect and admiration for Lt Col Novak. He was an awesome instructor, someone to look up to. I will miss him.
Jason
December 16, 2009
Col Novak was a fine instructor & a fantastic man. I admired him and looked up to him as a former student of his. He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Novak family during this difficult time.
December 16, 2009
Col. Novak was an amazing man and an even more amazing instructor. He indeed did touch the lives of many and made a lot of us who we are today . My thoughts and prayers to the Novak family.
Michelle Molczyk( Dilthey )
Max
December 16, 2009
Hugs to you all. PD will be missed by so many people, which is a tribute to all the lives he touched. Replay the memories and the laughs they bring often.
Jilly says he is up in Heaven now kicking Solo, but I think they've made peace.
Donna Rausch-Wilshusen
December 16, 2009
Dear Jane and family - my love and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. We are very sorry for your loss. He is sharing his vitality and wonderful personality with the Lord and all of our family up in heaven now. Our loss - heaven's gain. God's blessings, comfort, peace and strength to you all. Love always, Donna (espinosa) and Randy Wilshusen
Emma Baker
December 16, 2009
The thoughts and prayers of the Baker family are with you. Col. Novak touched the lives of so many of us during our formative years and we are better because of his influence, guidance and support. He was a most remarkable teacher and your loss is shared by many. May God bless you and keep you all in this time of sorrow.
Meghann Flair (Kannedy)
December 16, 2009
To The Novak Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Colonel Novak was a great man, and a great JROTC teacher. Thank you for sharing such a warm, caring, and funny man with us. He touched many lives and will never be forgotten.
Debbie (Janucik) Trentman
December 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Novak family. Mr. Novak was a wonderful person.
Brian Wallace
December 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Dennis Cox & Family
December 16, 2009
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carolyn (Beckett) Aguilar
December 16, 2009
My prayers go out to the Novak family. He was a great instructor and a great person. He will be missed greatly.
Kristen Harvey
December 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you in your time of sadness and remembrance.
***************************
When you lose someone its hard to greet
tomorrow without them here
without their guiding council
or understanding ear
To grieve that loss is proper
so don't you dry your tears
but with them please remember
the enjoyment through the years
It wouldn't be fair to call him back
to this place of trail and pain
unselfishly you let him go
though your heart may feel the strain
It may help to remember
whither short or very long
another day you'll embrace again
when you join the heavenly throng
~KAH
Michael Hill
December 15, 2009
Thanks Sir, every thought and move I made in the military you were always in the scenerio with your knowledge. you will be missed and your always still be my guiding light.
Mike Hill
December 15, 2009
thanks Sir, every thought and move I made in the military you were always in the scenerio with your knowledge. you will be missed and your always still be my guiding light.
Mike Hill
Krystal LarsonMeyer
December 15, 2009
I am sad for your loss. Col. Novak was a great man, he will be greatly missed. You and your family are in my prayers.
Emily Wicks
December 15, 2009
Col. Novak will be missed. He was a fantastic teacher with a warm sense of humor. One of my favourite memories of high school is of him. His family will be in my prayers.
Michael Castillo
December 15, 2009
Col. Novak was a loved and respected man for all the right reasons. I was glad to be acquainted with him as a student, briefly. He is huge in my memories, and my generation were lucky to have met him.
ED LARSON
December 15, 2009
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO COL.NOVAK'S FAMILY!!! HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schuyler & Caroline Werner
December 15, 2009
He was a wonderful inspiration and a great teacher. He will be missed. Our prayers are with the family in your time of loss.
CPT Christopher Measel
December 15, 2009
LTC Novak was an inspiration to myself and lot of his students while as a JROTC Instructor. My condolences go out to his family and may the Lord comfort you during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed.
Glenn Burr
December 15, 2009
Col. Novak was a great teacher and man who's interest in the success of his students was second to none. He was the kind of person we should all aspire to be and I was blessed to be one of those he inspired. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those he influenced.
Natalie (Russell) Peterson
December 15, 2009
I am truly saddened by your loss. Col. Novak was a warm, funny man who commanded much respect from his students. I am fortunate to have received his guidance during my time in JROTC at Bellevue East, and he taught me so much--about the military, life, and adulthood.
He had a great sense of humor; I will never forget how every so often he would come to school with his nametag on upside down--a practical joke by his grandchildren--and would chuckle and brag about the grandkids when we pointed out his nametag to him.
Col. Novak was a wonderful man who will be remembered fondly by many, many people.
Trish King (Curran)
December 15, 2009
I was lucky enough to be one of Col. Novak's JROTC students. During my time at Bellevue East, Col Novak was truly into his students, he had a deep passion for education and his students. I remember him going out of his way to make sure we knew he supported us no matter what direction we decided to take. He was an instructor that we all learned to appreciate. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. He will forever be apart of my heart.
Barb Robinson
December 15, 2009
Dale, my condolences to you and all of your family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sarah Parent
December 15, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with Col. Novaks family. He made everyone feel so welcome and comfortable around him and was a wonderful inspiraton to so many people. He will without a doubt be missed.
Tom & Betty Lawson
December 15, 2009
To the Don Novak family--We are truly saddened by your loss. During my time at East H.S., I worked with Don in teaching and coaching. A great teacher and a great coach. God bless you all.
Heather Mason-Baker
December 15, 2009
my thoughts and prayers are with the family...u were a great ROTC instructor...u will be greatly missed!
December 15, 2009
Dear Novak Family, What a truly exceptional man. My family's thoughts and prayers are with you. I will pray for God's peace and comfort to be with you in the coming days. Karen Soesbe Wheeler ( Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Robert Huschak
December 15, 2009
My thought and prayers are with your family. Don was a special man and my memories of "Abuelo", as we called him, are refreshed when I use one of his most common sayings of teach a man to fish, don't give him a fish. He was truly a great American.
Jonette Sadiq
December 15, 2009
Don, Rachel, and the Novak Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. We know you will cherish the time you had with your dad and the lifetime of special memories with him will bring you much comfort.
Sincerely,
Jonette, Sam, Adam, Noah, and Amber Sadiq
Debra Hudson (Shottenkirk)
December 15, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Novak family. I have fond memories of my time in ROTC with
Lt. Col Novak as my instructor.
Bill Fead
December 14, 2009
Thanks for your Military Service.
Past Commander V.F.W.
December 14, 2009
I'll miss you pops...
John Rizoli
December 14, 2009
My deepest condolences to MJ, Dale, Lauren and the entire Novak family. I only met PD once, but he made a lasting impression. God Bless.
Dianna Woolery
December 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers for your family at this time. I remember Lt Col Novak while I was in ROTC at Bellevue East High School; he was well liked, and such an intelligent educator. He will be greatly missed. Dianna (Woolery) Donaldson
Kym Mullins
December 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers for your family during this time. May God comfort you in your time of grief.
Sheila Fitzgerald
December 14, 2009
My condolences to the entire Novak family. I know how much "Papa Don" meant to you. Remember all the good times with him. May he forever rest in peace in God's hands.
Beth Ladwig
December 14, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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