Nick J. Chiburis Jul 17, 1938 – Oct 3, 2015 Age 77 of Gretna, NE. He passed away peacefully in his home after battling Parkinson’s Disease and cancer. Nick is survived by his loving wife, Louisa Chiburis; son, Nick Chiburis and wife Sherry; daughters, Michele Lucero and husband, Bryan, Lori Ramage and husband, Jeff, and Lisa Bader and husband, Rich; step-daughter, Andrea Bennett and husband, Wes of Memphis, TN. and his 6 loving grandchildren, Adyn and Trystan Lucero, Hunter and Skylar Ramage, Kyle and Cole Bader. Born and raised in Omaha, Nick graduated from South High School in 1956. He then served in the Marine Corps. Nick received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of NE at Omaha in 1963. He completed his Master’s Degree at Kearney State College in 1971, and went on to be a Professor at Iowa Western Community College for the remainder of his career. With the human form as his main subject matter through sculpture, photography, and drawing, his art was celebrated by many. Nick was a wrestling coach at various area high schools, including Papillion, Bellevue, and South High Schools, and was later a State Referee. He also coached his girls in softball and soccer for many years. His impact on the youth he coached was undeniable and never forgotten. He made a difference in so many lives, and we are all better because of him. VISITATION begins at 4pm Friday, October 23 with a CELEBRATION OF NICK’S LIFE at 7pm at the West Center Chapel.
HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
2 Comments
I was very sorry to read of Mr. Chiburis’s passing. In the mid seventies I took several of his art classes at Iowa Western. I remember them over 45 years later with much fondness. He opened my world up and sent my life in a new direction. He encouraged me to go to design school and I wound up on the East Coast because of that and although I ended up making a living in fashion design for many years, instead of Fine Arts, it put me on the path to meeting my husband of 30 years. Thank you Nick, people never realize how much of an impact they can have on someone’s life direction. I still have the drawing of yours that you traded me for the rocking pig sculpture that I made in your class at Iowa Western. I hope that you enjoyed my artwork over the years as much as I did learning how to create it in your class. I’m so honored that I have one of your drawings to remember you by.
Nick was a wrestling official who mentored me when I started out officiating. I think about him everytime I am working a high school or college wrestling event. A great man he will be missed dearly.
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