Eric T. Stec
July 16, 1971 – October 24, 2019
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Emil D. Sobota; sister-in-law, Holly Sobota. He is survived by his wife, Robin Stec; son, Keaton Stec; daughter, Kathryn Stec; parents, Pete and Rosella Stec; brothers, Bruce Stec and Jeff Stec (Melinda); brothers-in-law, Matthew Sobota (special friend, Laura Cuda) and Mark Sobota (Lori); mother-in-law, Donna Sobota; nieces and nephews: Tori, McKenna, Hanna, Hayden and Reid Stec, Morgan, Malorie, McKenna, Luke, Logan, Landon and Levi Sobota.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 29th from 5pm to 7pm at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 15353 Pacific St., followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, October 30th at 10:30am, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Interment: Gretna Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Stec Children’s Education Fund.
Eric Thomas Stec was born in Denver, Colorado on July 16, 1971. His family relocated to Ogallala, Nebraska when Eric was 4 years old. He attended St. Lukes Catholic grade school and graduated from Ogallala High School in 1990. He went on to attend college at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then graduate school at University of Nebraska-Omaha where he earned his master’s degree of Social Work in 1998.
On October 10, 1998 he married Robin Sobota in Schuyler, Nebraska. Eric and Robin moved to Houston, Texas for a short time where Eric was a Hospice Social Worker. They moved back to Omaha, Nebraska to start their family. Keaton Thomas blessed them when he was born June 28, 2002. Then daughter Kathryn Hope arrived December 2, 2003 to complete the family. Eric worked as a behavior health professional helping disenfranchised youth and young adults making positive changes in their lives. He was a vocal advocate for individuals challenged by social crisis, homelessness, poverty or juvenile injustice.
Eric was an active member of St. Wenceslaus parish where he served on parish council and was a lector. He enjoyed running, music, a good laugh and great bottle of wine. He will be missed immeasurably by those who knew him.
48 Comments
Stec family, may the care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
I’m sorry for your loss. I spent many hours on speech busses with Stec boys back in OHS days and was saddened to hear the news. The entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Robin and family. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you. Joni Bornhoft
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. May God grant you strength and courage during this time of mourning. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Robin and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. May you feel the love of God through family, friends, and community. Our prayers will be with you in the days and weeks to come.
Rev Charles and Susie Uhlik, Clare, Nathan and Olivia
Rosie and Pete. So sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. Hugs and tears for you all. God be with be with you
Robin and family, my thoughts and prayers for you all during this most difficult time! God Bless!!
Robin and family. My heart is broken for you. I had many laughs and social justice causes which I worked with Eric. You all were his center and love.
Robin I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could give you a big hug. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Pete & Rosie~ We are so very sorry for your tragic loss of Eric. Prayers for all of your families.
Robin, Pete, Rosie and family—we are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are certainly with you all. God Bless you all🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹
Robin, Keaton, Kathryn, and the rest of your wonderful family. My heart breaks for you once again. May the love of friends, family and the grace of God surround you and give you strength and comfort. Continued prayers for peace. Much Love Hollie
So much love you your family. I am so sorry.
Pete, Rosie, Jeff, Bruce and family, I have such fond memories of my early years in Ogallala of spending time with the Stec family and later on in high school with both Jeff and Eric. I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our prayers and will continue to be as you move forward. Love to you all!
Our sincere thoughts & prayers being sent to your entire family. May your wonderful memories of Eric help you through your sadness.
Pete, Rosie and family, so sorry to hear of Eric’s death. My deepest Sympathies. I’m praying for you all!
Our sympathies to you Robin and your precious kids. I have been thinking of you all so much this weekend! Eric was a wonderful neighbor and friend. I still remember him helping us pack our haul the nights before we moved from Park Lane Circle. He had it packed perfectly from top to bottom. So many wonderful memories of him! Our love and prayers to you all
My heart goes out to the entire family of Eric and to all who are grieving his death. Prayers of peace and healing to you.
So incredibly sorry for your great loss. My prayers for you and your family!
I am so incredibly sorry for this great loss. My prayers are with you and your family!
I’ll always treasure my memories of doing high school speech with Eric, my Informative mentor & friend. So blessed to have known him.
Robin, Keaton, Kathryn and family. There are no words to take away your pain and help you with the loss of an incredibly loving person. You were the center of his life and your love and support allowed him to give so much to others personally and professionally. You are all in my prayers. May you find comfort and peace and be surrounded by the love and support you need now and in the days to come.
I am so incredibly sad to learn this. Eric is truly one of the best humans I know. Robin, I will be thinking of you and praying for you every day.
Robin I’m so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for you loss. I’m praying for God’s peace and strength for you all.💐
So sorry to here this,,, I didn’t keep in touch but I believe I still have a few “notes from hs” that I couldn’t throw away.. prayers to the family!!
My dearest cousin Eric, I am beyond saddened to hear of your passing. I remember all those memories growing up. Our visits to Denver on our way to the Ranch. God Bless and watch over you! RIP…..All my Love, Lisa.
My thoughts and prayers for all the family in your loss.
Many good memories of Eric from OHS days! May you feel God’s love and peace that surpasses all understanding during this extremely difficult time. Much love to you all.
Robin, I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God and the love and prayers of family and friends help to bring you some peace and comfort in the days ahead.
I have not seen Eric since we graduated from high school, but still remember his infectious smile and laugh. May your memories comfort you in the time of loss.
Pete, Rosie, Jeff, Bruce and family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Eric. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Stec family, We are so sorry to hear the news of Eric’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord comfort and keep you.
the Holschers
Larry and Phyllis, Nick and Kristen, Stacy and Cesar and Zane and Mindy
To Rosie, Pete and all other family of Eric: You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May you be filled with God’s Love and Peace in the days ahead.
I am sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts during this difficult time. I pray that your family may find peace and strength. Many remember him fondly and his beautiful soul. May we all honor his memory by showing the same empathy and compassion he exuded.
Robin and family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Eric. Please know that the many good memories over the years and your deep Christian faith will sustain you during this most difficult time. You have my deepest sympathy.
Eric will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.
As an educator, it is alway sad to hear of the passing of one of my students. I want to express my deepest sympathies to Eric’s family. I remember teaching all the Stec boys at Ogallala Middle School back in the day. I have rekindled a friendship with Rosie the past few years in Gretna and have kept up on the boys through her. May the peace of our Lord comfort you in the days ahead.
My deepest condolences. I always enjoyed a good laugh with Eric when I would visit my brother’s home.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
We have a new star In the sky, as Eric’s soul continues to shine & bless our lives. Sending peace & prayers of comfort.
I am heartbroken for you and your family, Robin. Know that you are not alone in your grief, that your Children’s family stands with you.
I am so saddened to hear about Erics passing. He was so kind and caring and I enjoyed working with him. Prayers to everyone.
Eric was everyone’s favorite! He changed this world for the better! I am sure that when he met his Lord, he heard “well done, good and faithful servant.”
Pete & Rosie, so very saddened to hear about your son! My prayers go out to you & your family!
I met Eric while students at UNL. I will never forget his warmth and humor. I am saddened to hear of his passing but know that his time on earth was cherished by many. May he rest in God’s peace. My sympathy to his family and friends.
Our sincere condolences to all of you for the tragic loss of your husband, father, son, brother. You are all in our deepest thoughts and prayers. We learn that he touched many lives in his work in the world and all recall Eric’s easy laugh and big heart while growing up in Ogallala.
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