Wayne Boyd Whitmarsh, 81, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 7, 2018. Born May 27, 1937, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Glen J. and Thelma E. (Boyd) Whitmarsh of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Wayne attended Iowa Wesleyan University of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, transferring to Iowa State University in Ames. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, followed by a Masters in Architecture. During the course of his professional life, Wayne worked for HDR in Omaha, the University of Northern Iowa, several architectural firms, ending his career at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He participated in designs for student unions, office buildings, care facilities, and designed earth-sheltered and underground homes.
Wayne spent his entire life interested in the environment and social justice issues, remaining politically aware and active until his death. He participated in and led church mission trips and modeled that for his children. Following his retirement, Wayne advocated for the legalization of medicinal cannabis. He had several OPED letters published in the Lincoln Journal Star. He was instrumental in guiding the Presbyterian Church USA in the adoption of a denominational statement supporting medicinal cannabis, a treatment he knew would not benefit his own medical condition. Having endured a potentially-fatal brain condition for much of his life that challenged him, Wayne donated his body to the Nebraska Anatomical Board to support ongoing brain research and medical education. He would encourage everyone to consider this important gift.
Wayne is survived by his son Phillip and Annette (Cummings) Whitmarsh of Lincoln, their sons Harrison Whitmarsh (Madison Neal) of Portland, Oregon, Blake Cummings of Missouri Valley, Iowa, three great grandchildren,and his daughter Karen and Mark Hoffman of Lincoln, and their daughter Rachel. He is also survived by his cousin, Patricia (Whitmarsh) and Vince Williams of Dubuque, Iowa, Carolyn S. Harp of Lincoln, his former spouse, co-parent, and good friend. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents.