Steve Moran, 75, died on September 17 in Omaha.
Steve was born on August 10, 1951, in Lincoln. Steve spent his early years in Hemingford, where he attended grade school. He later attended St. Agnes Academy in Alliance from fifth through twelfth grade. During his school years, he stood out as an exceptional athlete, participating in basketball, football, and track. Football remained his greatest love. Because of both his intelligence and athletic ability, he was recruited by all three military academies and chose the Air Force Academy, a decision shaped in part by its closeness to his family, who were his greatest support system.
Steve attended the Academy for two and a half years before deciding to broaden his horizons at the University of Nebraska, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. That education led to a long and meaningful career in public service. In 1975, he began work as a civil engineer with the Department of the Interior and remained with the government until his retirement in 2010. Over those years, he served in many capacities throughout the state of Nebraska. His work included designing watersheds, dams, and erosion control projects. In the last decade of his career, he devoted himself to wetlands, working tirelessly with several agencies to help provide natural habitat for migratory birds. His professional life reflected steady commitment and practical skill, and his contributions were rooted in work that shaped both communities and the environment.
Beyond his education and career, Steve was remembered as a gentleman, stoic, hardworking, and fun-loving man. He was a person of deep spirituality who leaned on faith in a higher power and on his trust in humanity to do the right thing. Those values remained an important part of how he moved through life.
Steve also found joy in the pursuits that mattered most to him. He enjoyed bass fishing and sailing on the Pure Vita with his son Ben in Long Beach. He purchased a Tesla and learned its ins and outs with his son Brian. Football, the sport he had loved from his youth, stayed close to him throughout his life, and he was a great spectator of football games with his daughters Molly and Katy. These moments reflected the pleasures he valued and the ways he spent time with those closest to him.
He is also remembered by his loving wife of 54 years Barb; his four children Molly Waller, Ben (Giselle), Brian, and Katy. His
grandchildren are Chloe, Hudson, Joey, and Aloe. He is further remembered by his mother Roseann; his brothers Pat, Mike (Susan), Jim (Marci), Tim, and Jeff; his sisters Peg (Gary) and Jean (Rob); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Bob; his baby brother William; his sister-in-law Annie; his father-in-law James Coupens; his mother-in-law Betty Coupens. Also left to survive him are his brothers-in-law Mike Coupens and Pat Coupens; and his sisters-in-law Evie Freimuth (Dave) and Susie Tritle.
Steve Moran will be remembered for a life marked by dedication to family, commitment to his work, enduring faith, and a lifelong love of football, the outdoors, and time shared with those around him. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, September 26, at the West Center Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, Steve's wish would be that you give to a charity of your choice in his memory.