Patrick E. Clare

1940 - 2024

Patrick E. Clare

March 30, 1940 - September 30, 2024

LINCOLN - Patrick E. Clare, age 84, passed away on September 30, 2024, in Lincoln, NE. He was born on March 30, 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa, to Eugene F. and Mae A. Clare. Pat came to Lincoln on a football scholarship and played football for the University of Nebraska from 1958-1961. He became one of the first Academic All-Americans in Nebraska Football history in 1960, and the football team elected him as a Team Captain in 1961. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1962. Later that same year, he married Linda Sawvell from Sioux City, Iowa. He also enrolled at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1962, graduating from UNMC in 1966.

After an internship in Greeley, Colorado and an Orthopedic surgery residency in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pat and Linda moved their family to Ohio, where Pat served his country in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Major. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in 1973. Pat and Linda returned to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1973 to begin his medical practice, initially with Lincoln Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Clinic and later was a founding member of Nebraska Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, PC in 1987. He retired from his Orthopedic surgery practice in 2015. He also served as the Team Physician for the University of Nebraska Athletic Department, a position he held in the Athletic Department for 41 years, retiring in 2015.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene F. Clare and Mae A. Clare.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Clare, Lincoln; sons: Tim (Amy) Clare, Lincoln, NE; Dr. David (Tana) Clare, Lincoln, NE; Dr. Michael (Anastasia) Clare, Bradenton, FL; and John (Mary Brolhorst) Clare, Lincoln, NE; grandchildren: Matthew (Katherine) Clare, Ingrid Holmquist (Matt Masin), Colin (Morgan) Clare, Nels Holmquist, Danny (fiancé – Halle Dahlgren) Clare, Patrick Clare, Thomas (fiancé – McKenna Beezley) Clare, Meghan Clare, Sean Clare, Nicholas Jacobs, and Quinn Clare; great-grandchildren: Noah Clare, Georgia Clare, and "Baby Spud" arriving in November, 2024; sister, Mary (Leo) Juranek; multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Rosary service will be held on Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m., at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th Street, Lincoln, with a Visitation at 6:15 p.m., before the Rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m., (it's a Bye Week for the Huskers) at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506, with a reception to follow at 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Firethorn Golf Club, 9301 Firethorn Lane, Lincoln, NE 68520. Private burial at Lincoln Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th Street, Lincoln, NE 68506 or to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508 for use either in Athletic Medicine within the University of Nebraska Athletic Department or in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Condolences can be sent to www.bmlfh.com Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.