Ronald J. Adams

Ronald Joseph Adams of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on November 6, 2026. He was born on April 17, 1936 in Clinton, Iowa to Matthias and Effie (Seamer) Adams of rural Dewitt, Iowa. He graduated from Dewitt Saint Joseph High School in 1954. He enlisted in the USAF in 1955 and completed his 4 year service at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1958. After completing active duty he married Margaret Maurice (Stewart) Adams, and accepted employment with the Omaha District US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) as a clerk on the Missouri River dredge "Meriwether Lewis" (which is now in dry dock as a museum in Brownville, Nebraska).

After their move to Omaha in 1959 his life centered around his work and family: Newborn Ronald Jr. and step-son Michael Berry, home renovation projects, and starting his college education on a part-time basis. In 1970 they moved just north of Omaha to Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska, and became a part of that developing community while both continued to work for the USACOE. He served on the Ft. Calhoun City Council for one term, and later on the Planning Commission during which time he was involved with the development of a new MUD municipal water and sewer service for the community. In 1977, after the HS graduation of Ronald Jr., Ron and Maurice were able to enjoy many travels which often coincided with training and educational work conferences. When grandchildren entered the picture, that became their focus and joy.

During his years with the USACOE he advanced through multiple positions to his final responsibility as Management Analyst for the Omaha District. In 1992 he retired with wife Maurice, who was also a USACOE employee.

Upon retirement Ron began his long and storied career as a full-time family genealogist, which expanded their travel itinerary even further throughout the US and abroad. Over his remaining years this culminated in renewing ties with his Iowa family, Maurice's family, as well as twice traveling to visit the Adam's family ancestors in the Alsace region of France in 2012 and 2015.

In 2000 Ron became Maurice's full-time caregiver due to the advancement of her Alzheimer's disease. In 2003 they renewed their vows of marriage to cement their final journey together. In 2004 the couple moved to York, Nebraska to be near Ronald Jr's family, as Maurice was placed in hospice care at that time and she passed away in 2005.

In 2010 he again followed the move of his son's family to Lincoln, Nebraska, and resided there until the present time.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister; Robert, Raymond, Ralph and Ruth, his wife Maurice, and step-son Michael Berry.

He is survived by his son Ronald (Ruth) Adams Jr. of Hickman, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Tim (Leah) Adams of Lincoln, Nebraska, David (Bethany) Adams of Omaha, Nebraska, Alexander (Alexandra) Adams of York, Nebraska, Janelle (Nicholas) Wieskamp of Lincoln, Nebraska, Renee (Jeff) Smith of Prim, Arkansas, and MSgt Adam (Tara) Berry of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Six great-grandchildren: Eli, Owen, Oliver, Wesley, Peter Adams and Vanessa Wieskamp.

A Celebration of Life service at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM with a light lunch to follow. Burial at Ft. Calhoun Cemetery is pending.