Nicholas "Nick" R. Lyman

Nicholas "Nick" Ray Lyman of North Platte passed away November 27, 2024 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Nick was born December 21, 1940, to Ralph and LaVere (Franz) Lyman in Bassett, NE. There he spent his childhood, and during high school he excelled in basketball and football, graduating in 1958. Nick was married to Sharon Mundorf in 1964 and during this union his daughter Janet was born. In 1971 he married Darlene Booth, with whom he would spend the remainder of his life. 

Shortly after high school, Nick started a 40-year career with Nebraska Game & Parks at the Bassett, NE office in the Parks Division. In 1967 he transferred to the North Platte District office of Game & Parks as a Waterflow Technician. In his early years he was instrumental in establishing a nesting area for the Canadian Goose population in the sandhills of Nebraska. 

He flew hundreds of hours of aerial waterfowl surveys across the United States and Canda. He was heavily involved with waterfowl banding and migration studies with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the central United States. Nick developed friendships with waterfowl biologists across the United States and Canada and was highly respected by all he knew and was dedicated to waterfowl resources. 

During his time at Game and Parks, Nick was recognized for his accomplishments and received numerous awards, including the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Wetland Conservation in 2005, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Service Award in 2001, the Nebraska Conservation Officers Association of Outstanding Cooperation with Conservation Officers in 2006; the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Service Award in 1993 and the Director's Award of Honor from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in 2005. He also participated in the Central Flyway Wingbee for over 40 years. 

Throughout his life, Nick never lost track of his true passions, remaining an avid hunter and fisherman. From the bracing wilderness of Alaska to the beautiful waters of Louisiana, he traveled well and enjoyed spending time with his dear friends. A fan of all Husker teams, he never missed a game and was always ready to talk about their successes. 

Preceding him in death are his parents, Ralph and Lavere (Franz) Lyman and his sister Judy Holz.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Darlene of North Platte; daughter Janet Greder of Wayne, NE; nephews Randy (Judy) Holz, Jim (Paula) Holz, Scott (Ann) Holz; niece Deb (Dennis) Hansen; and many extended family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Saturday, December 7th at 10:00am with Pastor Neil Kloppenborg officiating. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Game & Parks Foundation in Nick's name. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.