Dr. Roger W. Mandigo

April 21, 1939 - January 24, 2025

LINCOLN - Dr. Roger W. Mandigo died peacefully in his sleep on January 24 at Eastmont Living in Lincoln. He was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 21, 1939, to Donald and Mildred Mandigo. Roger served as Professor of Meat Science at UNL for 45 years, including 32 years of service as the Head Marshal for commencement ceremonies. Roger is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wanda; sons, Kevin and Brian Mandigo; daughter, Tiffany Medley-Eggert; sister, Margaret Mandigo; and six grandchildren.

Visitation with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 'O' St, Lincoln, Neb. 68510. A celebration of Roger's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at First United Methodist Church - Waverly, 14410 Folkestone St., Waverly, Neb. 68462.

Memorials can be directed to First United Methodist Church - Waverly, or the Roger Mandigo Meat Science Graduate Student Excellence Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Condolences online at Roperandsons.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lincoln Journal Star on Jan. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Mandigo

9 Entries

Ricardo Salazar

January 30, 2026

EL DOCTOR MANDIGO FUE MY CONSEJERO DURANTE MI M.S. EN LINCOLN 1970-1972. GRAN PERSONA Y EXCELENTE PROFESIONAL.
RICARDO SALAZAR - Quito Ecuador

Anonymous

February 20, 2025

Flags should be at half-staff for this man - may he rest in peace, be loved by family and friends, and remembered for his fine moments as a person as well as his many innovations that changed the world!

Craig Buescher

February 5, 2025

I worked at the Meat Lab on East Campus for Roger while attending CASNR from 1969-1973. I still remember I had to help set up a demonstration for a presentation to the National Pork Producers in which he received a $15,000 grant to work on flaked, formed and textured pork which eventually lead to the development of the McRib. I needed more hours to pay for college so he had me work for him personally at his acreage by Waverly on Saturdays to help me out.
He was a great teacher but never was known as an easy A but when you got out you knew the material. He became a great friend and mentor even after my college days. Thank you Roger

Tim Schnell

February 3, 2025

I was a graduate student from 1996 to 99 at Nebraska. Roger and Chris Calkins were always big supporters of building team amongst the graduate students. On one particular event, Roger and Chris came along with the students on a canoe trip. Somehow, we managed to get Roger and Chris in the same canoe. I don´t think Chris could even reach the water with his paddle. Great memory, and a great example of how Roger and Chris were committed to teaching students how to work hard and play hard. RIP Roger and thanks for everything you did to prepare me for my career.

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Michael Dikeman

January 31, 2025

I worked with Roger several years setting up the Meat Judging component of the AKSARBEN Meat Animal Evaluation Contest in Omaha, NE. In addition, we overlapped in the American Meat Science Association. And he an Mandy were our friends that we saw at numerous Reciprocal Meat Conferences. He was an icon in the specialty of "processed meat science". Michael Dikeman

Robert F. Diffendal, Jr.

January 29, 2025

To Wanda and Family: During the 1980s and 90s I was on the UNL Commencement Committee with Roger, who was Commencement Head Marshal. I also attended most Commencements over that time and saw that Roger worked tirelessly on making sure that all students received their diplomas and not someone else's. That was a very difficult thing to achieve, but Roger never made a mistake.
I saw him many times on campus after I ceased serving on the committee and enjoyed our conversations. I will miss him very much.

Bob Diffendal, Professor Emeritus, UNL

Chris and Ellen Calkins

January 28, 2025

To Wanda and Family -

Roger was an icon in the field of meat science. What a great friend and colleague. I learned so much from him when I started my career. He was a knowledgeable mentor and teacher. His commitment to students was unquestionable and his meat science expertise was valued around the world. I'm grateful I was able to work with him and got to know his entire family. He will be missed but has left a strong, resilient family. Love to all.

Chris and Ellen

Rodney Moore

January 28, 2025

Dr. Mandigo and I worked together to plan and organize 60 commencement ceremonies from May 1986 to May 2006 all at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Dr. Mandigo, the Head Marshall, and my office, Registration & Records, worked together in identifying those graduates that wanted to participate in a commencement ceremony. Dr. Mandigo would create a seating chart for the graduating students. Registration & Records prepared the diplomas to be awarded and placed on the stage for distribution by the deans and associate deans. Each commencement was different because of the # of students graduating and the venue limitations. At one of the December commencements the indoor track area wasn't available to line up the students. Dr. Mandigo and the Marshalls had to line up the graduates in swimming pool area. There were times when "students" who hadn't qualified to graduate attempted to participate in a commencement ceremony. The Marshalls stopped them.
It was my honor and privilege to have known and worked with Dr. Mandigo.

Carol McShane

January 28, 2025

Roger and my spouse, Jim McShane, served together as marshalls on the UNL Commencement team. Jim often spoke of his friendship and respect for Roger. If Jim were alive, I know he´d want you to know that, like Roger, he cherished this role honoring students (and all the pomp and circumstance).
In the name of their friendship, I salute Roger

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