Leonard Fischman

Leonard (Len) Fischman was born in Newark, New Jersey on the 9th of June 1932 (Yes that was a long, long, long time ago). He was raised by his mother Annette Freibott-Fischman along with his sister, Leona. When Len's aunt died at an early age his mother took in and raised his cousin, Jean, as her own. This selfless example would be one he would model throughout his life. He was a typical inner-city kid: adventurous, devoted to his family and friends, quick to help those in need, fun-loving, hardworking, with a great sense of humor and always quick to pull pranks. In other words, he drove his mom crazy.

At the age of 20, he joined the US Air Force as a communications specialist. His career took him away from his home to begin the greatest adventure of his life. He spent over 20 years at various assignments including Biggs Airfield in El Paso, Texas, Craig Air Base in Mobile, Alabama, where he married JoAnna McLean and adopted her three children, David, Doris, and Leonard. You would never have suspected the kids weren't his, as he loved and raised them as his own. During this time the early 1960's in Alabama another lifelong trait would emerge – kindness and a commitment to doing what is right. While traveling, he noticed an African American family in the parking lot of a rest stop, with kids were crying. Len asked the father if he could help, and he said the diner would not serve them because they were "Negros", Len was filled with anger, but instead of yelling at the store keeper he bought the other family lunch with his own money.

Soon they moved to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska where he worked in a highly classified job at Headquarters Strategic Air Command (SAC) and served in the underground bunker during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He would never say what he did there and would tell his children if he shared any details he would have to kill them. (For years when they misbehaved he would threaten the kids with this as a justification for the police.) During this time in Omaha, a new child entered the scene, Craig. Craig fit right in the family mostly as the focus of David and Little Len's pranks and jokes. Like father like sons. Soon the family was off to Torrejon Air Base outside of Madrid, Spain. This was a great time for all and instilled in his family his taste for adventure. After four years in Spain the family moved back to Offutt AFB where he finished his career retiring as a Technical Sergeant in 1973.

Len and JoAnna divorced in late 1970's and started his second career in the US Postal Service. He rose through the ranks from delivery to management, and retired from the Personnel Office after a 17-year career. In the early 80's he met the love of his life Ellen Murphy and her two children Gabrielle and Matthew. They were married in September 1981 and Len soon adopted and loved her two children as his own. (Does this sound familiar yet?).

Len and Ellen lived a very active life together. They were active in sports, softball, golfing, racquetball, and his favorite past-time: bowling. Bowling would become the center of his greatest sports achievements (at least if you believed all his wild stories). He was also in Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Time for his involvement in Senior Golf League. (He just told everyone he was a Sports Illustrated Model).

Len and Ellen also loved to travel. After Ellen retired, they took it up a notch often just picking up and going anywhere they felt the urge, often traveling with friends and family around the US and the world. He would remember the places not by what he saw or who he met, but by the food he ate. His favorite trip was to Peru with Ellen and his nephew Paul Krynski and his wife Roxanne, who grew up there. Roxanne took him to the best Peruvian food places that he talked about for years. In fact, Len generally gauged how successful a trip was based upon the food! He still talked about a platter of chicken gizzards in Arkansas years later.

Len and Ellen would always be happy to return to their real love - family. Len became the patriarch of vast horde of 6 children 19 Grand Children and 10 Great Grandchildren. Pulling the same pranks and jokes on multiple generations with the rolled eyes of the previous recipients of the pranks. He was often known as “Grandpa the Trickster”.

Len loved deeply but didn’t easily say it. He was very proud of his family and – in one of his last days even joked that he was very happy he had such a good-looking family! He navigated multiple generations pretty well – even bonding with the youngest members of his brood. He was soft-spoken, patriotic, hard-working, and enjoyed simple things like word jumbles and sudoku and playing solitaire. He had a great sense of humor – dry and sometimes depreciating – but he did it well.

As he got older, and his health started to falter, he bore his illness with a staunch and quiet dignity. Although he was able to do less over time, and his memory faltered a little, he was always pleased to see the children, grandchildren, friends and family that came to visit. At the end of his journey, he was surrounded by family constantly, and knew he was loved. Ellen likes to think of it as similar to a boat disappearing over the horizon. Even if you can’t see it, you know it is still there, and that you will see it again. Len will truly be missed by all, and his loss will be felt for a very long time – but his family hopes you will remember him fondly, enjoy some ribs, and knock “shave-and-a-haircut" as you leave.

VISITATION Monday, April 21, 2025 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with FUNERAL SERVICE to follow at 12:00 pm, all at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, 441 N. Washington Street, Papillion, Nebraska 68046. BURIAL at Omaha National Cemetery.

Contributions in Leonard's memory may be made to the Gretna American Legion, Post 216, 11690 S. 216th Street, Gretna, Nebraska 68028.