Kenneth Ervin Long

9/21/1932-02/12/2022

Kenneth Ervin Long, age 89, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Kenneth was born September 21, 1932, in Whitman, NE, to parents, David and Velma Long.

Ken grew up on a farm in Ames, NE. While attending Scribner High School, he participated in track and field as a runner. Ken married his high school sweetheart, Norma, on July 12, 1953. Had it not been for his good friend, Boyd Bower, who convinced him to go to college, his life and career may have taken a different path.

As a child, his love for aviation led him at the age of 18 to enlist in the Army National Guard, where he later entered into officer training and flight school. He was trained to fly rotary and fixed-wing aircraft for the National Guard. After completing his training, he was assigned to the 24th Medic Air Ambulance Company. His unit was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. Ken then rose through the ranks, earning a promotion to Detachment Commander, then Chief Warrant Officer 3. He ended his career of 39 years in 1990, retiring with the rank of Major.

A lifelong Nebraskan, Ken graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on June 12, 1965 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began his professional career as a mechanical engineer at Davis, Fenton, Stange & Darling.

In the early 1970’s, Ken went on to open his own consulting engineering firm, Long & Associates. Ken would continue designing mechanical systems for buildings throughout his lifetime.

A registered professional engineer in numerous Midwestern states, Ken found a way to incorporate his love of flying with his engineering career. He acquired a 1973 Piper Cherokee 235 for both pleasure and business, using it to visit job-sites and meet clients in the region.

Ken was a lifelong learner, with a passion for military and aviation history. He was a strong advocate for the value of a good education, and he later returned to his alma mater as a professor to teach a class on Construction Management.

At his core, Ken was a builder who believed in creating a strong foundation to provide for the future. Alongside his other achievements, he also built two commercial office buildings in Lincoln, The Long Professional Center and Eden Place Professional Park, as a way to provide opportunities for small businesses in his community.

Above all else, family was what mattered the most to Ken. He was always available with advice and a helping hand. No job, challenge, or repair was beyond him. If there was ever a problem, Ken would always be there with a solution.

Ken is preceded in death by his father David Long and mother Velma Long

He is survived by his wife Norma (Lange) Long; Children: Taryn Long, Lincoln, NE; Vickie Raphael, Arlington, WA; Keith Long (Jolene), Papillion, NE; Grandchildren: Jarid Long (Ashley), Eagle, CO; Kamrie Lusero (Shea), Papillion, NE; Wyatt Raphael, Lynnwood, WA; Will Raphael, Bellingham, WA; Nicholas Hemphill, Lincoln, NE; Great Grandchildren: Lennon & Ayda Lusero; Brother: Merwin Long (Connie), Fremont, NE; and Sister: Barbara Kile, Fremont, NE.

Visitation Thursday, February 17, 2022, 5:00 - 7:00PM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. 6800 S. 14th St, Lincoln, NE. Funeral Service Friday, February 18, 2022, 2:00PM, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Interment following at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. 6700 S. 14th St, Lincoln, NE. For those unable to attend in person, the Funeral Service will be Livestreamed. Please follow the link at the bottom of the obituary to join the family virtually.

Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home follows current Lancaster County Directive Health Measures. In light of the Pandemic, the family requests that all attendees wear protective face coverings at all times during the Visitation and Funeral Service.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

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