William Hare Fleming

Fleming, William Hare

May 1, 1935 - April 12, 2023

Dr. William Hare "Bill" Fleming of Bennington, NE passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023.

Survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Pamela; his children: Alice Fleming Guzick (Bill), William "Will" Swift Fleming (Kelly), Edgar Hare Fleming (Lynn) of Omaha, April Brizendine of Omaha, and Krystal Talha of Omaha; and his grandchildren: Will Guzick (Laura Hansen), Sarah Guzick Moyer (Weston), Nicole Fleming, Anna Fleming, Will Fleming, Victoria Fleming, and David Fleming, twins Nora and Sophia Talha, as well as his infant great-granddaughter Zoe Leigh Moyer. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanie Fleming; as well as many extended family members and close friends. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Charlotte Hare and William Bush Fleming.

Bill was born and raised in the Upper Arlington area of Columbus, OH. He treasured his memories of summers spent at Camp Kawanhee for Boys in Weld, ME, often returning for week-long visits and reunions. He graduated with honors from Yale in 1957 where he was also an All-American swimmer. Yale was one of his great passions to which he gave generously, and proudly watched family members choose to attend his alma mater. He earned his Medical Degree from Columbia University, followed by residencies in New York City hospitals in surgery and pediatrics. His Military Service was at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital in Bethesda, MD and included spending the year 1970 at Long Binh Hospital in Vietnam. There he earned a Bronze Star for work as a surgeon as well as working to identify and treat the river-borne infectious disease, meliodosis.

Bill knew from the age of 11 that he wanted to be a Medical Doctor, and from the age of 12 that he wanted to be a Surgeon. While in Medical School, he watched a procedure on a child, and at that moment he thought, "This I could do. This I understand." Bill began his professional career in Atlanta, GA where he became Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical Center and taught Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine where he practiced as a heart surgeon for five years. In 1976, he was invited to Omaha where he became Nebraska's first and only congenital heart surgeon dedicated to treating children. His dedication and collaboration with other pediatric cardiologists laid the foundation for a regional heart program at Children's Hospital & Medical Center of Omaha, which today is one of the best programs of its kind, nationally. Bill often described his work simply by saying, "I fix children's hearts," and by doing so he saved and improved countless lives. In 2009, Bill was named a Pediatric Legend for his work at Children's Hospital & Medical Center. Throughout his career, he published more than 100 professional articles and abstracts related to the heart and techniques of heart surgery.

During Bill's retirement, he and Pam traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting all continents except Antarctica. Continuing his childhood passion for sailing at Camp Kawanhee, he and Pam enjoyed annual Windjammer Sailing cruises for 19 years. Fascinated by how things work, he encouraged and supported entrepreneurs as they pursued their inventions and dreams. Until recent years, he continued to volunteer in advisory roles with various Boards and Associations.

To his family and friends, his influence was enormous. Bill was a role model, a giver of wise advice, a mentor to many, a supporter, and a storyteller. He placed a high value on education, and his generosity enabled many young people, both inside and outside the family, to fulfill their educational dreams. He shared his values and life lessons in carefully selected words and by example. Where Bill is now, he has a new audience with plenty of time to listen to his many stories. He will be greatly missed, but we know Bill is smiling as he watches over us.

A CELEBRATION of LIFE will be held on Sunday, May 7, 4-6pm at Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha, NE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Cardiology and Heart Program at Children's Hospital & Medical Center https://www.childrensomaha.org/get-involved/our-foundation/support-cardiac-care/

or to Nebraska Humane Society: https://support.nehumanesociety.org/

Navarro Funeral Home