March 22, 1939 - July 25, 2020
Russell Tice was born in Norwich, New York. As a young man he broke horses to earn money, ran track and participated in the HiY program. Involvement in HiY earned him a trip to the State Legislature to present a bill, the success of which resulted in a trip to Europe. This trip, taken as a teenager, gave Russell the travel bug. After high school he headed to Duke University where he played lacrosse and joined the ROTC program. ROTC led him to the Air Force. While a Cadet, Russell met his wife Ella Jean and they were married in 1961. During the next 21 years in the Air Force, Russell earned 4 Air Medals, one of which was pinned on by General Westmoreland. He flew a mission with the Vice President on board, was navigator on KC-97 and KC -135 tankers, C-130 ABCCC, VC-135 and VC-137 Special air missions, and E-4 National Emergency Airborne Command Post. Russell retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lt. Col.
Russ led a life well lived and experienced many things. He camped in the Amazon, went scuba diving in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Red Sea, Gulf of Siam, Okinawa, and California. He held a private pilot’s license, flew a glider, flew in a hot air ballon over the Serengeti, was a brakeman on a two man bobsled team in Lake Placid, went dove hunting in Argentina, saw both the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis, drove harness racing horses and has photographed dozens of animals all over the world.
Soccer was a big part of Russ’ life. In 1978 Russ became a soccer referee and continued to do so through 2001. In 1992 he became a Referee Instructor and Assessor. He qualified as a National Referee and Assessor with the National Intercollegiate Soccer Official Association. In 2017 Russ became the first referee inducted into the Nebraska State Soccer Hall of Fame.
Russ also volunteered from 2001 to 2018, giving over 6500 hours of time to the Metro Area Motor Assist Program helping motorist stranded on the highways throughout the Omaha area.
You could always find Russ at all his grandkids’ activities and family events. If there was a game, award ceremony, graduation, birthday, or such he was present supporting his family. He was a dedicated family man who set an example for us all. (Except of course when he yelled at the refs at the kids games with phrases like “Did you swallow your whistle?” or “You’re missing a good game":)
He is preceded in death by wife Ella Jean Tice; and sister Artelissa Ann Lipfert. Survived by children: Kim and Jim Wischmann, Craig Tice and Rosalinda Ruiz, and Alexi and Scott Wellman; grandchildren: Sara Wischmann. Paige Wischmann, Mackenzie Wischmann, Zachary Nordberg, Cole Wellman, Jessica Wellman, and Ryan Wellman; great-granddaughter: Elena Martinez; nieces: Lissa Eckstrom and Laura Austen nephews; Barron, Brockton and Justin Curry, Larry Lipfert; other relatives and friends.
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