Larry Lee Dlugosh

Larry Lee Dlugosh died on Friday April 17, 2026. Larry was born on February 2, 1943 in Valley County, Nebraska to Emil L. and Ruth Dlugosh. He graduated from Ord High School in 1961 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He married Janee L. Benda in 1965 and the two of them moved to the Omaha area. Daughter Jadi was born in 1970 and son Jason was born in 1972.

Larry was a lifelong advocate for public education. He served as a high school science teacher before being selected as a high school principal in Bennington Public Schools. He then moved to Elkhorn Public Schools where he served as high school principal and later, as Associate Superintendent. He served as Superintendent of Schools in Springfield-Platteview and Grand Island Public Schools. In 1990, he became a professor of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He retired as chair of the department in 2011.

Larry volunteered for and served on the boards of a number of different community organizations throughout his lifetime. He served on the St. Francis (Grand Island) Hospital Board, was the chairman of the board for Bryan College of Health Sciences, was a longtime member of the Heartland Center for Leadership Development, and led the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Emeriti and Retirees Association.

He was named the outstanding young educator for the Nebraska Jaycees in 1989. Larry was recognized by the Nebraska Council for School Administrators with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. He was recently given the Wisherd Award for Outstanding Community Service from the UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association.

Larry and Janee prioritized traveling the world. They visited over forty countries and all seven continents. They took each of their grandchildren on a trip following eighth grade to a destination of their choosing, that included Italy, the Swiss Alps and Dolomites, and an African safari. There were numerous trips, with family and friends, both domestic and international.

Larry was an engaging individual whose quick wit and easy smile made him someone that people enjoyed. He worked in many different roles in many different cities, but his personality allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life. With his commitment to learning about the world, he supported many different international students by providing housing, offering invitations to dinner, and extending to them his friendship. Through Larry’s gift for telling stories and making people laugh, he maintained lifelong connections with so many people.

Preceded in death by his parents. Larry is survived by his wife Janee, his daughter Jadi (Dan) Miller of Elkhorn, son Jason (Brooke) Dlugosh of Lincoln, and grandchildren Noah (Kate) Miller of Austin, Ethan Miller of Elkhorn, and Savannah Dlugosh of Lincoln.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln on Friday April 24th at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.

Memorials to the NU Foundation - The Dlugosh Advancement Fund, the Bryan College for Health Sciences Foundation for scholarships, or the St. Paul United Methodist Church.