R. LOWELL FEY Ph.D.

R LOWELL FEY, PhD 06/11/1926 - 10/14/2025 R Lowell Fey, PhD, 99 of Nebraska City, Neb., passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Morton Place in Nebraska City. R Lowell Fey was born on June 11, 1926, in rural Unadilla, Neb., the son of Louis Ralph and Nora Elizabeth (Rodaway) Fey. He graduated from Unadilla High School with the class of 1943. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, specializing in the new technology of radar, until his honorable discharge on July 4, 1946. Following his military service, he earned his Physics Degree in 1948 from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Lowell began working at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., then at the National Bureau of Standards, moving to its Boulder location in 1956. At these institutions he worked on developing the Atomic Clock. In the 1960s, he worked in conjunction with NASA coordinating time signals between satellite tracking stations in support of the Apollo space program. In 1968, he took his family to Braunschweig, West Germany where he had arranged a one-year work exchange. He retired in 1973. Lowell had a thirst for learning. After retiring, he earned a Master's in Agronomy from Colorado State University, and later, a Ph.D. in Geography at University of Colorado. He was an active member of the Unitarian Fellowship and volunteered with the Boulder-Jalapa Friendship City Project. He was a man ahead of his time; in the 1960s he started an organic farm called Stonebridge Farm near Lyons, Colo., and was a founder of the Boulder Farmers Market. He married Arvilla Mae Lange on April 26, 1950, in Western, Neb., and they shared 54 years together before her passing in November of 2004. In 1997, Lowell and Arvilla moved to Nebraska City. He continued advocating for organic and sustainable agriculture, including cheesemaking. He was also a Board Member for the Center of Rural Affairs, belonged to Nebraskans for Peace, and played trombone in the Southeast Nebraska Community Band. He was also a patron of the Brownville Concert Series, Brownville, Neb. Lowell loved to travel and visited many countries around the world. Those left to cherish his memory include his children and sons-in-law: Nancy E. Fey and Rob Prince of Denver, Colo., Thomas S. Fey of Monroe, Wis., Carol F. Chatfield and Bob Chatfield of Boulder, Colo., and David L. Fey of Lakewood, Colo.; three grandchildren, all of Denver; Molly Prince, Abbie Prince, and Miranda Chatfield; and two great-grandchildren. He had many good friends in the Nebraska City area; Jan Wright, Janet Palmtag, and Tim and Linda Engel were especially devoted. Lowell was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and brother and sister-in-law Robert and Barb Fey. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at a later time. He will be laid to rest at Plainview Cemetery at Western, Neb., next to his late wife Arvilla. Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City is in charge of arrangements.