Pat Maher

JOSEPH "PATRICK" MAHER, 77, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Ogallala.

Joseph Patrick Maher (Pat) was the second of ten boys born to Vincent and Gabriella (Spellman) Maher. He came into this family on June 19, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri. Pat attended primary school in Slater, Missouri, graduating high school in 1964. He was a co-captain of both his football and basketball teams.

Pat applied for an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and was accepted into the Class of 1969 in May 1965. While there, Pat was on the Commandant's List every semester, reserved for the top twenty-fifth percentile academically. In 1967, he volunteered to attain his paratrooper jump wings at Fort Benning in Georgia, and he also attained a Jungle Expert Patch in Panama. On June 4, 1969, Pat was sworn in as a second lieutenant as a graduate of the Air Force Academy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Lieutenant Maher was assigned to pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas and earned his pilot wings in August 1970. Pat then volunteered for Vietnam, flying the C-7A Caribou. He volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam, this time flying the C-130E. On this tour, he picked up fellow heroes that were being held as prisoners of war. After two-and-a-half years in Vietnam, Pat was awarded two distinguished flying crosses and one air medal.

Following Vietnam, pilots were given non-flying positions. Pat was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. as Airfield Manager. Andrews was the home of the 89 th Airlift Wing, which housed Air Force One and Two along with the helicopter squadron, including Marine One.

In the spring of 1974, a new second lieutenant named Mary was assigned to the Security Police squadron. The squadron's mission was to provide security for the President and other important officials. Pat met Mary, they dated for four months, fell in love, and have been married for 48 blessed years. After marrying, Pat and Mary lived in Iran while Pat flew for the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

In his civilian life, Pat earned a Master's degree in business management from Central Michigan University. He worked as project manager for Cooper Investments, developing Happy Canyon Ranch development in Denver, vice president for development of Castle Pines Land Co., and vice president of development for Vail Associates Real Estate Group, overseeing and developing real estate assets owned by Vail Associates Inc. in Arrowhead Village and Bachelor Gulch.

Survivors include Pat's wife Mary, and their three daughters, Mary Kathleen Kearney; Kristin Ann LaSart; and Natalie Spellman Nee, with her husband, Loren Nee of Colorado; seven grandchildren, including Kathleen's firstborn that is Pat's namesake, Patrick Ryan, followed by Caleb, Corrine, Cameron, Aubrey, Aidan, and Noah; and seven brothers, Phil, Dennis, Paul, Bill, Dan, Tom, and Bob.

Pat's parents and two brothers, David and Terry, preceded him in death.

Pat's wife, Mary, was the apple of his eye, and his daughters were the light of his life.

Services will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 10:00 am at New Hope Church in Ogallala with Pastor Matt Waitley officiating. Interment with military honors will be in the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery at Colorado Springs, CO.

A memorial has been established in Pat's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.