Del grew up in Columbus, Nebraska. He was the only of his siblings to go to college. His mother helped finance his first semester at Midlands College in Fremont, Nebraska. He worked his way through the other years there. He taught school in Creston, Nebraska for a year and then went to get an advanced degree aiming at school administration. He earned his doctorate in education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Del joined the faculty of Arizona State University. From there he went on to work at Cleveland State University in Ohio; and then returned to Arizona State as its Dean of Education. He eventually became Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) 1977-1997.
Del was key to turning that school from what was colloquially referred to as West Omaha High into a significant university. B. J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today -- a vast institution -- without Weber. Reed said that Del faced "heavy slogging, because some members of the Board of Regents in his time didn't want the University in Lincoln (UNL), the NU system's flagship campus, to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do things, UNL would suffer. Reed said Uno and UNL have a much better relationship now.
Del was said to have an affable, non-threatening, cool way abut him that belied his tenacity, fairness, and toughness. He could push and push on issues that were important to him.
Dr. James Armitage, Del's lymphoma specialist, called Del "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician.
J. B. Milliken, now Chancellor of the University of Texas system, was a vice president in the NU system through part of Del's tenure, said Del is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO."
He was married to Lou Ann for 64 years. She survives him. They had three children: Beth Bratches and her husband Kurt), William Dean "Bill" (and his wife Bobbi), and Kelly Maddalena (and her husband Sam). The daughters live in Omaha and Bill lives in Bennington, Nebraska.
Del Weber, who played a key role in shaping UNO into the university it is today, dies at 86
By Rick Ruggles / World-Herald staff writer Jan 12, 2019:
Del Weber transformed the University of Nebraska at Omaha from a small commuter campus to a bonafide metropolitan university in his 20 years as the university's leader.
Weber, 86, served as UNO’s chancellor from 1977 to 1997, a period of maturation and growth for the campus.
Weber died Friday night of pneumonia related to lymphoma. He was a man of a strong faith if God. He said he was ready to die. He had no fear of it. Though not in pain, he was tired of being so worn down by his illness.
Under Weber, UNO won NU Board of Regents approval to build its first residence halls. The university also created its first freestanding doctoral programs on Weber's watch. And a battle by Omahans to start an engineering college here led to creation of UNO's Peter Kiewit Institute, which includes UNO info science and technology programs and some University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering programs.
B.J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today — a vast campus both north and south of Pacific Street — without Weber. Reed said Weber faced "heavy slogging" because some members of the Board of Regents 25 to 30 years ago didn't want UNL, the NU system's flagship campus (in Lincoln), to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do new things, UNL would suffer. Reed said UNO and UNL have a much better relationship today.
Weber had an affable, non-threatening, cool way about him. But that belied his tenacity and toughness, Reed said. Weber could push and keep pushing on issues that were important to him, Reed said.
J.B. Milliken, who was a vice president in the NU system through part of Weber's tenure, said Weber is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO." Milliken now is chancellor of the University of Texas system. Milliken said that Weber's "tenacity on behalf of the institution he loved began the dramatic transformation of a UNO that is larger, more residential, and much more important to Omaha and Nebraska."
Dr. James Armitage, Weber's lymphoma specialist, recently called Weber "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. . . . It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician."
Del was key to turning that school from what was colloquially referred to as West Omaha High into a significant university. B. J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today -- a vast institution -- without Weber. Reed said that Del faced "heavy slogging, because some members of the Board of Regents in his time didn't want the University in Lincoln (UNL), the NU system's flagship campus, to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do things, UNL would suffer. Reed said Uno and UNL have a much better relationship now.
Del was said to have an affable, non-threatening, cool way abut him that belied his tenacity, fairness, and toughness. He could push and push on issues that were important to him.
Dr. James Armitage, Del's lymphoma specialist, called Del "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician.
J. B. Milliken, now Chancellor of the University of Texas system, was a vice president in the NU system through part of Del's tenure, said Del is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO."
He was married to Lou Ann for 64 years. She survives him. They had three children: Beth Bratches and her husband Kurt), William Dean "Bill" (and his wife Bobbi), and Kelly Maddalena (and her husband Sam). The daughters live in Omaha and Bill lives in Bennington, Nebraska.
Del Weber, who played a key role in shaping UNO into the university it is today, dies at 86
By Rick Ruggles / World-Herald staff writer Jan 12, 2019:
Del Weber transformed the University of Nebraska at Omaha from a small commuter campus to a bonafide metropolitan university in his 20 years as the university's leader.
Weber, 86, served as UNO’s chancellor from 1977 to 1997, a period of maturation and growth for the campus.
Weber died Friday night of pneumonia related to lymphoma. He was a man of a strong faith if God. He said he was ready to die. He had no fear of it. Though not in pain, he was tired of being so worn down by his illness.
Under Weber, UNO won NU Board of Regents approval to build its first residence halls. The university also created its first freestanding doctoral programs on Weber's watch. And a battle by Omahans to start an engineering college here led to creation of UNO's Peter Kiewit Institute, which includes UNO info science and technology programs and some University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering programs.
B.J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today — a vast campus both north and south of Pacific Street — without Weber. Reed said Weber faced "heavy slogging" because some members of the Board of Regents 25 to 30 years ago didn't want UNL, the NU system's flagship campus (in Lincoln), to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do new things, UNL would suffer. Reed said UNO and UNL have a much better relationship today.
Weber had an affable, non-threatening, cool way about him. But that belied his tenacity and toughness, Reed said. Weber could push and keep pushing on issues that were important to him, Reed said.
J.B. Milliken, who was a vice president in the NU system through part of Weber's tenure, said Weber is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO." Milliken now is chancellor of the University of Texas system. Milliken said that Weber's "tenacity on behalf of the institution he loved began the dramatic transformation of a UNO that is larger, more residential, and much more important to Omaha and Nebraska."
Dr. James Armitage, Weber's lymphoma specialist, recently called Weber "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. . . . It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician."
Del grew up in Columbus, Nebraska. He was the only of his siblings to go to college. His mother helped finance his first semester at Midlands College in Fremont, Nebraska. He worked his way through the other years there. He taught school in Creston, Nebraska for a year and then went to get an advanced degree aiming at school administration. He earned his doctorate in education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Del joined the faculty of Arizona State University. From there he went on to work at Cleveland State University in Ohio; and then returned to Arizona State as its Dean of Education. He eventually became Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) 1977-1997.
Del was key to turning that school from what was colloquially referred to as West Omaha High into a significant university. B. J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today -- a vast institution -- without Weber. Reed said that Del faced "heavy slogging, because some members of the Board of Regents in his time didn't want the University in Lincoln (UNL), the NU system's flagship campus, to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do things, UNL would suffer. Reed said Uno and UNL have a much better relationship now.
Del was said to have an affable, non-threatening, cool way abut him that belied his tenacity, fairness, and toughness. He could push and push on issues that were important to him.
Dr. James Armitage, Del's lymphoma specialist, called Del "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician.
J. B. Milliken, now Chancellor of the University of Texas system, was a vice president in the NU system through part of Del's tenure, said Del is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO."
He was married to Lou Ann for 64 years. She survives him. They had three children: Beth Bratches and her husband Kurt), William Dean "Bill" (and his wife Bobbi), and Kelly Maddalena (and her husband Sam). The daughters live in Omaha and Bill lives in Bennington, Nebraska.
Del Weber, who played a key role in shaping UNO into the university it is today, dies at 86
By Rick Ruggles / World-Herald staff writer Jan 12, 2019:
Del Weber transformed the University of Nebraska at Omaha from a small commuter campus to a bonafide metropolitan university in his 20 years as the university's leader.
Weber, 86, served as UNO’s chancellor from 1977 to 1997, a period of maturation and growth for the campus.
Weber died Friday night of pneumonia related to lymphoma. He was a man of a strong faith if God. He said he was ready to die. He had no fear of it. Though not in pain, he was tired of being so worn down by his illness.
Under Weber, UNO won NU Board of Regents approval to build its first residence halls. The university also created its first freestanding doctoral programs on Weber's watch. And a battle by Omahans to start an engineering college here led to creation of UNO's Peter Kiewit Institute, which includes UNO info science and technology programs and some University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering programs.
B.J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today — a vast campus both north and south of Pacific Street — without Weber. Reed said Weber faced "heavy slogging" because some members of the Board of Regents 25 to 30 years ago didn't want UNL, the NU system's flagship campus (in Lincoln), to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do new things, UNL would suffer. Reed said UNO and UNL have a much better relationship today.
Weber had an affable, non-threatening, cool way about him. But that belied his tenacity and toughness, Reed said. Weber could push and keep pushing on issues that were important to him, Reed said.
J.B. Milliken, who was a vice president in the NU system through part of Weber's tenure, said Weber is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO." Milliken now is chancellor of the University of Texas system. Milliken said that Weber's "tenacity on behalf of the institution he loved began the dramatic transformation of a UNO that is larger, more residential, and much more important to Omaha and Nebraska."
Dr. James Armitage, Weber's lymphoma specialist, recently called Weber "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. . . . It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician."
Del was key to turning that school from what was colloquially referred to as West Omaha High into a significant university. B. J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today -- a vast institution -- without Weber. Reed said that Del faced "heavy slogging, because some members of the Board of Regents in his time didn't want the University in Lincoln (UNL), the NU system's flagship campus, to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do things, UNL would suffer. Reed said Uno and UNL have a much better relationship now.
Del was said to have an affable, non-threatening, cool way abut him that belied his tenacity, fairness, and toughness. He could push and push on issues that were important to him.
Dr. James Armitage, Del's lymphoma specialist, called Del "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician.
J. B. Milliken, now Chancellor of the University of Texas system, was a vice president in the NU system through part of Del's tenure, said Del is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO."
He was married to Lou Ann for 64 years. She survives him. They had three children: Beth Bratches and her husband Kurt), William Dean "Bill" (and his wife Bobbi), and Kelly Maddalena (and her husband Sam). The daughters live in Omaha and Bill lives in Bennington, Nebraska.
Del Weber, who played a key role in shaping UNO into the university it is today, dies at 86
By Rick Ruggles / World-Herald staff writer Jan 12, 2019:
Del Weber transformed the University of Nebraska at Omaha from a small commuter campus to a bonafide metropolitan university in his 20 years as the university's leader.
Weber, 86, served as UNO’s chancellor from 1977 to 1997, a period of maturation and growth for the campus.
Weber died Friday night of pneumonia related to lymphoma. He was a man of a strong faith if God. He said he was ready to die. He had no fear of it. Though not in pain, he was tired of being so worn down by his illness.
Under Weber, UNO won NU Board of Regents approval to build its first residence halls. The university also created its first freestanding doctoral programs on Weber's watch. And a battle by Omahans to start an engineering college here led to creation of UNO's Peter Kiewit Institute, which includes UNO info science and technology programs and some University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering programs.
B.J. Reed, UNO's senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the university wouldn't be what it is today — a vast campus both north and south of Pacific Street — without Weber. Reed said Weber faced "heavy slogging" because some members of the Board of Regents 25 to 30 years ago didn't want UNL, the NU system's flagship campus (in Lincoln), to be challenged in any way by UNO. He said Weber fought the perception by some that if UNO was allowed to do new things, UNL would suffer. Reed said UNO and UNL have a much better relationship today.
Weber had an affable, non-threatening, cool way about him. But that belied his tenacity and toughness, Reed said. Weber could push and keep pushing on issues that were important to him, Reed said.
J.B. Milliken, who was a vice president in the NU system through part of Weber's tenure, said Weber is "perhaps more than anyone responsible for the mature, modern and indispensable UNO." Milliken now is chancellor of the University of Texas system. Milliken said that Weber's "tenacity on behalf of the institution he loved began the dramatic transformation of a UNO that is larger, more residential, and much more important to Omaha and Nebraska."
Dr. James Armitage, Weber's lymphoma specialist, recently called Weber "an amazingly good, strong, kind, loving human being. . . . It's been a real honor to be his friend and to be his physician."
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