July 9, 1927 – January 9, 2019
Benjamin B. Akert, 91, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. He was born July 9, 1927 in McCook, Nebraska to Paul Akert and Cyla A. Akert (Moseley).
He graduated Alliance High School in 1945 and was drafted into the Army serving one year with the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Logan. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he enrolled in Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Education. He earned a Masters Degree in School Administration in 1954 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He taught two years at Whittier Junior High School in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to Elkhorn, Nebraska in 1953 where he taught and served as Principal of Elkhorn Public Schools. The following year he became the Superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools and, at that time, served as the youngest superintendent in the state from 1954 to 1957. He relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska in May 1957 after accepting a position as an educational publishers agent with Scott-Foresman, where he dedicated his work to the educational excellence of children until his retirement in January 1989.
He is listed in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, Who’s Who in the World, and Men of Achievement. While enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Chapel Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Plainsman Quartette. He was a member of Pi Beta Alpha, Professional Bookmen, beginning in 1965 and served as National President in 1980. He was a Charter Member, Eastern Nebraska Council International Reading Association. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and served on several committees.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Pauline, three brothers, Walter, William, and Robert, and son Bruce. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Rose (Harrison), son Leonard Akert and daughter-in-law Becky Akert of Lincoln, NE, grandchildren Brian Akert and wife Liz of Papillion, NE, Brandon Akert and wife Kaylen of Lincoln, NE, Erik Akert and wife Melissa of Boise, ID, Kelda Fairleigh and husband Erik of Seattle, WA, one sister, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Ben had prepared the following written statement: “I dedicated my life to my family and to educational excellence for children. In humility, I always tried, though imperfectly, to live a Christian life without self-righteousness.”
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