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BORN
1940
DIED
2024
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Nicholas Lyman Obituary
December 21, 1940 - November 27, 2024
Nicholas Ray "Nick" Lyman of North Platte passed away on Nov. 27, 2024, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Nick was born on Dec. 21, 1940, to Ralph and LaVere (Franz) Lyman in Bassett. There he spent his childhood, and during high school he excelled in basketball and football, graduating in 1958. Nick married Sharon Mundorf in 1964; to this union, his daughter Janet was born. In 1971, he married Darlene Booth, with whom he would spend the remainder of his life.
Shortly after high school, Nick started a 40-year career with Nebraska Game and Parks at the Bassett office in the Parks Division. In 1967, he transferred to the North Platte District office of Game and Parks as a waterflow technician. In his early years, he was instrumental in establishing a nesting area for the Canadian Goose population in the Sandhills of Nebraska.
He flew hundreds of hours of aerial waterfowl surveys across the United States and Canada. He was heavily involved with waterfowl banding and migration studies with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the central United States. Nick developed friendships with waterfowl biologists across the United States and Canada. He was highly respected by all he knew and was dedicated to waterfowl resources.
During his time at Game and Parks, Nick was recognized for his accomplishments and received numerous awards, including the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Wetland Conservation in 2005, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Service Award in 2001, the Nebraska Conservation Officers Association of Outstanding Cooperation with Conservation Officers in 2006, the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Service Award in 1993 and the Director's Award of Honor from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in 2005. He also participated in the Central Flyway Wingbee for over 40 years.
Throughout his life, Nick never lost track of his true passions, remaining an avid hunter and fisherman. From the bracing wilderness of Alaska to the beautiful waters of Louisiana, he traveled well and enjoyed spending time with his dear friends. A fan of all Husker teams, he never missed a game and was always ready to talk about their successes.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Ralph and Lavere (Franz) Lyman; and his sister, Judy Holz.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Darlene of North Platte; daughter, Janet Greder of Wayne; nephews, Randy (Judy) Holz, Jim (Paula) Holz and Scott (Ann) Holz; niece, Deb (Dennis) Hansen; and many extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation in Nick's name. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.
Memorial service is at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 7, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Neil Kloppenborg officiating. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Lyman
Sponsored by Carpenter Memorial Chapel - North Platte.
Nick Lyman, Cocodrie, Louisiana fishing trip, June 2003. By Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson
December 14, 2024
So sorry that I didn't get this photo added earlier.
Mike Johnson
December 7, 2024
Nick was the best of the best. A great friend and a great co-worker. He was an incredible asset to the Nebraska, the Central Flyway and wildlife. He is sorely missed. I first met Nick in January 1978 in Oshkosh, Nebraska. I spent that winter searching wintering Canada goose flocks in the Central Flyway for neckbanded geese. I met up with Nick, John Sweet and Dick Nelson at the Game & Parks trailer at Clear Creek WMA. Nick invited me to help them band little Canadas that they rocketed-net. Although we had just met - he was an immediate friend - and a joy to be with. For the next 4 decades, we worked and played together many many times. It was always a delight to catch up with him each yeat at the Central Flyway Wing Bee and Central Flyway meetings. What great times we had. He, Joe Hyland and Jim Hurt came to hunt Sandhill Cranes with me in ND one fall. We couldn't get into the field where I wanted to set decoys, so we hid in rockpiles and pass shot a full limit of cranes. Nick shot all of his with a .410! He was an incredible shotgunner. We shared many fishing trips to the Gulf Coast in Louisiana - at Steve Brazda's fish camp, with Mike O'Meilia, John Solberg and Art Brazda, before he passed, and others. What incredible adventures those trips were, all made very special because Nick was there. Art Brazda and Howard Funk were especially close and long-time friends of Nick. Getting the three of them together was always an event to remember - especially when Art or Howard would begin a loud chorus of "Oh Lord its hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way..." I don't think Nick was much of a singer, but he couldn't resist joining in with his two best friends. Nick greatly enriched my life, as well of the lives of many many others, and he will forever be remembered.
Ted LaGrange
December 7, 2024
Nick left an amazing legacy for waterfowl conservation that will benefit future generations. I had the honor to work with Nick at NGPC for about 20 years. He was one of the most talented waterfowl biologists I have known. When my son Ben was in grade school, he would come along on the Sandhills goose banding trips. Nick took Ben under his wing and generated memories that my son cherishes to this day. Nick may have also shared some stories and jokes with my son, but that is a story for another day. You will be greatly missed Nick, and I am so thankful to have benefited from your work and your friendship.
Shaun Oldenburger
December 6, 2024
Nick and I worked together for NGPC in 2002 when I was a lowly seasonal employee; Nick was generous with his expertise and humor. I can't think him enough for training biologists across his 40-year career and assisting the Central Flyway with so many projects - including surveys and banding. I ran into him many years after we worked together in Anderson, California, at the Pacific Flyway wingbee - he instantly looked at me and said "No wonder I was needed out here!" and started chuckling - that was Nick!
Thank you Nick.
Shaun Oldenburger, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Central Flyway Council Chair
Matt Hansen
December 6, 2024
From your friend at Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club
Alan Boggs
December 6, 2024
From your friend at Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club
Ed Harrison
December 6, 2024
From your friend at Lincoln County Wildlife Gun Club
Sharon H. Skinner
December 5, 2024
Nick was a very good friend and next door neighbor. Rich enjoyed hunting with Nick. We got our German short-hair dog from nick and enjoyed training and hunting with the dogs. He was a friendly, fun friend who had a special way about him....he will be missed by many...Rich and Sharon Skinner
Gregg Silverberg
December 5, 2024
Nick was a great guy. I always enjoyed talking with him. Hunting with him banded a lot of geese with him in Nebraska. He will be greatly missed.
Randy
December 5, 2024
Uncle Nick, I can’t believe you are gone. You were my role model from the time I was old enough to walk and talk. I’ll always remember tagging along banding ducks, trapping and hanging out all day at the deer check station. You are the reason I love to hunt and fish today. You touched so many lives in ways you probably didn’t realize and you will truly be missed.
Dina Barta
December 5, 2024
I remember Nick as a man that was quick to laugh. He was passionate about passing his knowledge on to others. Good guy. Thanks for the things you taught me. I will pass it along.
Bob Meduna
December 5, 2024
I have a lot of great memories of working with Nick. I worked at the North Platte office during the summers of 1973 and 1974 while I was in college and Nick took great care of me in showing me all the good fishing spots. He taught me a lot about waterfowl and deer biology and later we worked together with the goose restoration project at Sac. He was always a joy to visit with and a good man. He will be missed. Darlene, my condolences to you.
Terry Dowling
December 4, 2024
A true friend, tested and true!! God is going to have a great time with Nic. Will miss him!!! Terry D.
Linda Stockall
December 4, 2024
My brother, Lynn Stockall, spoke often about Nick. He enjoyed his friendship hunting ducks & geese together. Nick was a good friend and I imagine they are sharing a great goose hunting story right about now. We lost Lynn in May of this year. Two great hunters & special conservation sportsmen. Sympathy to Nick’s family & friends. Linda Morrison, sister to Lynn Stockall.
RL Nelson
December 4, 2024
Thanks Nick for all your conservation work on behalf of wild free-ranging waterfowl! Good Job! !
Greg Wingfield
December 3, 2024
Darlene, I'm so saddened to learn of Nick's passing. When I came to North Platte Office in 1977 Nick was quick to welcome me and take me under a wing. He helped me cut my teeth as a young biologist. I cherish the many hours out at the lake with you two, the many in the mud pond duck blind, and the hunts in Frontier County, the New Year's gatherings, and much more fellowship. I was especially fond of the many hours we shared in a plane during midwinter eagle and waterfowl surveys. Nick was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed but never forgotten. I hope you'll find peace surrounded with loved ones.
Paul Novak
December 3, 2024
We had a lot of fun hunting, fishing, boating and sharing our lives with each other over the years. Traveling for work in Nebraska with Nick meant fish and wildlife endeavors that last a life time. Travel to Arizona for hunting pleasure or Wyoming or the Dakota's fishing with Nick will remain forever etched in my heart.
Paul Novak
Tom Sweet
December 3, 2024
Darlene, I'm so sorry to hear about Nick's passing. I always had a lot of respect for him and fond memories of getting to tag along with him and my Dad while they trapped and banded ducks and geese when I was a kid. I always enjoyed his company and advice as I became a young man. He will be dearly missed.
Dan Timm
December 3, 2024
I've known Nick since 1966. We worked together on waterfowl for four years until I left the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for Alaska in 1971. We roomed together for a couple years, shot trap most every weekend during the summers, shared duck blinds and together enjoyed many other outdoor adventures.
Nick was highly accomplished working in the field and he conducted numerous waterfowl surveys and banding programs for the US and Canadian Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska G&Ps Commission.
Nick was friendly, generous and he had a wry sense of humor. He had a great many friends within and outside of the wildlife management field.
I sometimes think of many of our adventures together from upsetting our canoe within a few hundred yards of the Niobrara River HY 83 Bridge with 25 miles still to go, to our first hundred straight at trap shooting, filling the duck traps for banding and both being single then, some of our adventures in the bars of North Platte and many others towns.
Nick was a unique man and he will be missed by many!
Jean Piester
December 3, 2024
Darlene, I was so sorry to hear that Nick passed away. My. Thoughts and prayers are with you. NIck was a very special man and friend. There are simply no words to express sorrow for you. My love to you dear friend.
Randy Stutheit
December 3, 2024
My sympathies to Nick’s family. During the many years I worked with Nick I learned so much from him and I valued his friendship immensely. I will miss him.
Vawn the Barber!! Stark
December 2, 2024
Kind,always called me "Girl!", fun to visit with, He was one of my favorite clients.. I will miss him too.......
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Memorial service
10:00 a.m.
Carpenter Memorial Chapel - North Platte1616 West B Street, North Platte, NE 69101
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