Bernard W. “Bernie” Reznicek

REZNICEK, Bernard W. “Bernie” Dec 7, 1936 – Dec 14, 2014 Bernard W. “Bernie” Reznicek of Omaha died at Methodist Hospital on December 14, 2014 after battling pulmonary fibrosis. He was 78. Bernie was born on December 7, 1936 in Dodge, Nebraska to William B. and Elizabeth (née Svoboda) Reznicek and was the youngest of six children. The family moved to Omaha where he was educated at Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Cathedral High School (’54). Bernie received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Creighton University (’58) and later obtained an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (’78). Bernie started his career with the Omaha Public Power District in 1958 and left for one year in 1979 to become Vice President of the Sierra Pacific Power Company in Reno, Nevada. He returned to OPPD and rose to President and CEO from 1981 to 1987. He then took a position with Boston Edison and eventually became CEO and Chairman of that utility until 1994. Bernie moved back to Omaha in 1994 and became Dean of the College of Business Administration at Creighton University until 1997. He served as National Director, Special Markets for Central States Indemnity Company of Omaha from 1997 to 2003 and later served on its board. Bernie has been a member of the board of directors for the following corporations: CSG Systems International Inc. (Chairman from 2005 to 2009), InfoUSA Inc, Infogroup, Inc. (Chairman from 2008 to 2009), CalEnergy Company Inc., CB&I Stone & Webster, Inc., TTI Technologies Inc., State Street Bank and Trust Corporation, Guarantee Life Insurance Company, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, The Guarantee Life Companies Inc. and PulteGroup, Inc. For the past several years he has been Chairman and Chief Administrative Office of ERRA Inc., a privately-held, green energy company. Bernie’s civic accomplishments have included serving on the boards of the Omaha Safety Council, Boys Town, Omaha Community Playhouse, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, The Electric Transportation Coalition, Edison Electric Institute, the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, the Electric Council of New England, Northeastern University’s Governing Board, the United Way, and the Boston Museum of Science. He is survived by his wife, Carol Dugan Reznicek; brother, Roland (Lucy) Reznicek of Centerville, Iowa; sister Dolores Bruggeman of Omaha; six children from his earlier marriage to Mary Lee (née Gallagher) Reznicek: Dr. Stephen (Judy) Reznicek of Aberdeen, Washington, Dr. Michael (Linda) Reznicek of Spokane, Washington, Charles (Kathy) Reznicek of Omaha, Mary (James) Theisen of Omaha, Bernard (Lou-Ellen) Reznicek of Green Bay, Wisconsin, James (Stacey) Reznicek of Keene, New Hampshire; fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by six stepchildren: Jennie (Jeff) Hinrichs of Omaha, Michael (Amy) Dugan of Omaha, Brigid (Graeme) Ward of New Zealand, Jeffrey Dugan of Omaha, Dennis Dugan of Omaha, and Molly (Mike) Erftmier of Omaha; ten step-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 18th from 6:15pm to 7:30pm at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific Street, Omaha, with VIGIL SERVICE at 7:30pm at the church. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Friday, December 19th at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3201, (pulmonaryfibrosis.org); the Kevin O’Connor Caddie Scholarship Fund through the Omaha Country Club, 6900 Country Club Way, Omaha NE 68152, (402) 571-7470; or to St. Robert Bellarmine Church.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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