Toby Scott Churchill

Toby Scott Churchill

April 14, 1956 – October 21, 2019

Toby Scott Churchill, age 63, passed away on Monday afternoon after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Toby was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduating from Lincoln East High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Toby worked in economic development in the state of Nebraska for over 35 years.  He was awarded the 2016 Nebraska Economic Developers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Toby will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, kind heart, tremendous faith, and terrible impersonations.  During his life, Toby was an active participant in church activities, volunteer work, and youth sports within the communities where he lived.

Toby’s magnetic personality and ability to make others smile will be missed by the many lives he touched.  Toby is survived by his wife, Lori; his two sons, Mason (Leslie) and Colin (Shelby); six grandchildren: Ewan, Lily, Leighton, Simon, Cooper and Joss; and sister Toni Churchill.

The family will receive friends Friday, November 1st from 12noon to 1pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by SERVICES at 1pm. Memorials are suggested to The Assistance Fund.

 

 

26 Comments

  • Mayor David Black Posted October 22, 2019 3:23 pm

    A great man that did so much for Sarpy County and Papillion. A friend to many, always smiling, funny and high integrity. Toby, Papillion is a better place because of you

  • David Probst Posted October 22, 2019 4:06 pm

    Toby was a great guy and will be missed by all especially Lori and the kids. May the perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace.

  • Jay Rodenburg Posted October 22, 2019 4:12 pm

    Toby was a close friend of my older brother Steve when growing up. I always admired Toby and loved to be around him, his playful nature and terrific personality were infectious. He will be missed by all those who were lucky enough to know him. Rest in Peace Toby…. God Bless You….

  • Rich Berry Posted October 22, 2019 4:17 pm

    Toby became a close friend over the years and our friendship grew well beyond our casual friendship in our high school days to a professional one during my time in Omaha through the nineties. He was very involved in the Omaha 2020 vision masterplan for the City which myself and our office served as the lead. Toby was a figurehead both from the economic feasibility side and often gave his input on the physical design amenities which we were working on at the time. On a personal note Toby was always well received and liked by just about everybody he met. He just had a unique ability to put one at ease with his subtle attitude that always exuded confidence. This ranged from being elected Highschool class president to serving on to many committees to list. I considered him not only a good friend but he always earned and deserved my greatest admiration and respect. He will be surely missed by many. A friend and constituent. Rich Berry

  • Senator Carol Blood Posted October 22, 2019 5:25 pm

    My thoughts and prayers go out to Toby’s family. He was such a gem to work with and had such a kind heart. He worked hard for Sarpy County and was always a sweet and funny guy. Most memorable was that he was also such a gentleman. I’m so sorry for his families loss.

  • Doug Caulkins Posted October 22, 2019 6:44 pm

    I’m so sad to hear of Toby’s passing. We went to high school and ran track together. Toby was the kind of guy you looked up to. He had a higher standard for living and we all tried to live up to that level. What a wonderful person. My condolences to the family.

  • Randy Thelen Posted October 22, 2019 8:07 pm

    Toby cared. He cared about his family. He cared about his community. He cared about his colleagues. I worked with Toby during his last months at Sarpy County EDC. Even as he fought a brutal disease, he always put others first. First with a word of encouragement or a quick joke to lighten the room, Toby took care to be sure everyone was at their best. He will be missed.

  • Frank McEntarffer Posted October 22, 2019 8:16 pm

    So many amazing, fun and wonderful memories. Toby was on the receiving ends of one of my favorite passes. His smile was infectious but his personality and heart made everyone feel special. Toby will always be in my thoughts. And prayers. Once he was your friend he never forgot you. Heaven is shinning brighter. Peace my friend.

  • Kent Compton Posted October 23, 2019 1:00 am

    I worked with Toby for 10 years at Union Pacific Realty. Truly a great man. Funny. Vivacious. Hard working and Generous. He will be missed by many. Condolences to Lori, Mason, Colin and all Toby’s family and friends.

  • Sheila O’Connor Posted October 23, 2019 12:23 pm

    Toby never met a stranger – he was always one of the first to welcome someone new in to the fold. He was an amazing friend, mentor and leader in our industry. May he shine in the perpetual light.

  • Carolyn Sherman Posted October 23, 2019 3:34 pm

    My sincere sympathies to Toni and all of the family.

  • Wendy Richey Posted October 23, 2019 3:51 pm

    Toby was a joy to know and a wonderful colleague. I will miss his impersonations and his positive outlook on life. May God bless him and his family who will miss him.

  • Kim Porter Posted October 23, 2019 4:37 pm

    He was a great story teller, loved children, entertained all of us, and loved Jesus. God bless him as he receives his reward in heaven. God bless his family, as they wait to see him again someday.

  • CAPT James Taylor, USN Posted October 24, 2019 6:01 am

    Toby was a true friend and dedicate community servant! Always smiling and sharing a generous greeting to everyone. He set the standard by which everyone can aspire to live our lives in support to others. God bless his spirit for living! My deepest condolences to his family.

  • Michael Kucera Posted October 24, 2019 12:55 pm

    I am very sorry to hear about Toby. I will never forget the humor he brought into my life over the years. I met him almost 40 years ago at UP Realty Company. Among many things, I will always remember running to the Runza for burgers and shakes for lunch when we had time. He was the consummate professional when working on economic development. He loved his family so much! I wish the Churchill family my sincere condolences… He was a Great Guy!

  • Virginia Lemmons Posted October 24, 2019 9:55 pm

    I met Toby several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with him. He had a great personality and was always full of smiles. God’s blessings to his wife Lori and family.

  • Lisa Lackovic Posted October 26, 2019 2:16 pm

    Toby made business meetings fun. I always looked forward to seeing his smiling face at SCEDC meetings. He made us laugh and got stuff done. One of the best Forest Gump impersonators I have ever seen. God bless you Toby. You will be missed dearly and remembered fondly. .

  • Cherry Muffley Posted October 28, 2019 4:24 am

    Lori and family. I am sorry to hear of your loss of Toby

  • Roger Zanarini Posted October 28, 2019 11:01 am

    Toby was a valuable team member when we worked at Upland Industries. He was the original Energizer Bunny. When you think of Toby, you think family man first. We stayed friends over the years, even after his terrible disease took its toll. Heaven has added another Husker fan. Rest in peace.

  • Ellen Lierk Posted October 30, 2019 9:48 am

    Seeing Toby’s picture brought back good memories of NEDA gatherings. His presence added so much positive energy. He certainly made his mark on the community he served and on the state as a whole. My prayers are with the family. May Toby rest in peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.

  • Maynard and Linda Manka Posted October 30, 2019 4:13 pm

    Lori, Mason, Colon and families: Though words seem so inadequate, may this heartfelt message of sympathy bring you some comfort today and always. We have traveled to a lot of baseball fields lately that we had the pleasure of frequenting with your whole family in days gone by when Mason and Jeff played ball together. Oh those stories! Whether they were true or not, we so enjoyed them EVERY time he told them. The storyteller, the prophet, the athlete, the family man and a man of God are just a few descriptions of the Toby and way he lived his life. So happy we had the privilege to call him friend. Let the memories shared be your path to healing. Do not cry because he is gone . . . . SMILE . . . . because he lived! Fremont friends, Maynard and Linda.

  • Mike Borcher Posted October 31, 2019 7:53 am

    Rest in peace big guy. Condolences to Toni and Toby’s family. He touched a lot of lives including mine.

  • Mike and Carmen Nelson Posted November 1, 2019 3:09 am

    One of my all-time favorite shirts that Toby wore to the many games we all attended together was ‘The Older I Get, The Better I Was’ shirt! I remember the first time we saw it, but I don’t remember which game it was or who we played or who won or who scored or who pitched—-Toby does!!! We had such fun on those fields because of Toby! He was a light to everyone he met! We are so very sorry for your loss—Lori, Mason, Colin and families—you are in our thoughts…

  • Roger Christianson Posted November 1, 2019 10:26 am

    As Peg and I are getting ready to say goodbye to Toby I was just reading the messages above. What nice, and well deserved, tributes with many recurring themes.
    High integrity, hard working, caring, fun, funny, involved, a leader and a loving family man.
    You only had to walk into Toby’s office and see the pictures of Lori, the boys and the grandkids to see his love for all.
    I had the privilege of working with Toby over the span of several decades. He was a true professional who made everybody around him better. We will all miss him.
    Roger and Peggy Christianson

  • jean Posted November 3, 2019 8:47 am

    to the family. toby was a great friend in high school at East hihg in liconcolln. TONI was loved and admired by all.l s

    suzy hile was a great friend in high school, and with all the class who thought he was great. God bless his family. JEAN high motherr of Suzy HILE

    s

  • Patrick James Malloy Posted November 11, 2019 5:19 pm

    Lori and sons, I want to express my sympathy for your loss. Toby was a special man and true professional. I worked with him when I lived in Nebraska and thought of him often while he struggled with that terrible disease. Toby as loved by all and will be missed.

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