Michael J. W. Gregg

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Michael John William Gregg, 82, of Lincoln passed away August 23, 2024. Born May 22, 1942, in Belfast, Northern Ireland to John Dudley Wells and Alice Elizabeth (Winternheim) Gregg.

Michael was a mechanical engineer for Goodyear. His job took him all over the world, and he was blessed in that he loved what he did. He moved his family to the United States in 1983 where he continued his career with Goodyear producing many patents, collaborating with NASCAR, and being inducted into the Inventor’s Hall of Fame as a corporate inventor. After retirement, he continued tinkering with cars and staying active in the Flatwater British Car Club and as a docent at the Speedway Museum.

Michael was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served in many capacities. He was also a member of Kiwanis, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, and the Old Campbellian Society (N.Ireland).

Family members include his wife, Freda; daughters Wendy Gregg, Susanne (Bryant) Robert, Penny (Rusty) Ford, and Katherine Gregg (James Mussman); grandchildren Lexie Mellenger, Christina (Tyler) Threlkeld, John Robert, Josie, Ella and Phoebe Ford, Grant and Maddie Mussman; great granddaughter Tempe Threlkeld. Preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial service: 11:00 am Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. with Pastor Chris Peters officiating. Private inurnment in the Westminster Church Columbarium.

Memorials in lieu of flowers to Westminster Presbyterian Church.

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August29

Memorial Service

11:00 am CST

Westminster Presbyterian Church

2110 Sheridan Blvd.

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August 30, 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mike, traveling with him to NASCAR races and team shops, and getting to know him. He was a wonderful man and his love for his family was obvious in how he lit up when talking about them. His story telling was second to none. My condolences to the entire family.

– Ben Roberts

August 30, 2024

Rest in peace Mike. I worked with Mike in Lincoln at various times in both of our careers. He always was there to solve a problem, provide advice, or lend a hand on building a product sample. Communicating and working with technical customers, like the entire NASCAR circuit, were tremendous strengths. Thanks Mike, for everything you did to lend support to younger engineers like myself. My condolences to Freda & all the family. Mike will surely be missed.

– Doug Gilg

August 27, 2024

We were shocked & saddened to hear about Michael’s passing. I worked with Mike on many projects during our years together in Goodyear Lincoln. Mike certainly could come up with plenty of great ideas about materials & engineering concepts, but he never lost sight of the practical applications of the inventions. He is about the most innovative engineer I have ever worked with. On a personal note, Mike was always cheerful & upbeat, always ready with a joke or one of those legendary stories about his past experiences. I will be forever grateful to Mike & Freda for their help & support when I moved to the USA. Also, Anh & I greatly appreciated their help again as we settled into living in Lincoln a few years later. Our sincerest condolences to Freda & all the family. Mike will surely be missed.

– George & Anh Burrowes

August 27, 2024

Mike and I worked on numerous projects together over the years. If I would get stuck on a design, 10 minutes with Mike and exchanging 2 or 3 ‘back of the napkin’ sketches and I would be back on track. I don’t think that anyone had a bigger influence on my professional career than Mike did. He was very intelligent and innovative, but still a very practical engineer. And the stories. Nobody topped Mike’s story telling. I still have an image in my head of the bus nearly being blown over or the pigeons dropping dead from the x-ray ‘pill’ when he was testing huge fans early in his career. Or what binder they used for casting sand back in the day (supplied by horses). And family. Mike was especially proud of his daughters and his love for Freda and the girls was always obvious. He also liked to share the entire family’s disdain for automatic transmissions. Condolences to Freda, his daughters, the the grandchildren.

– Mike Janne

August 27, 2024

I just heard of Micheal’s passing and I want to wish my condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have many fond memories of participating in mission trips with Westminster Presbyterian Church with Micheal. He was an amazing engineer and was such a joy to be with on these ttips. He was so giving of his time to help so many families on these trips. God bless Micheal. Rest in Peace.

– Bob Michaud

August 26, 2024

I am very sad to hear about Michael’s passing. I found Michael to be a most knowledgeable, interesting and optimistic person. I have many fond memories of gatherings, adventures and fun activities that we shared. His generosity of spirit, ready smile, contagious laugh and love of life left an imprint on my life. My life is richer for having known him and the world is poorer without Michael. My condolences to Freda and family. May God comfort you during this time.

– Dwayne Odvody

August 26, 2024

Michael was a great man, husband, father, and Papa, as well as neighbor. I know he will be missed. Hold him in your heart.

– Kathy Burkman

August 26, 2024

The news of Michael’s passing has left a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him, as those of us who were fortunate enough to be hosted by him during our time in Lincoln. Michael, along with his wife Freda and their daughters, created an environment that was not just a home away from home, but a sanctuary of warmth, safety, and unwavering support for foreign students like myself. When I first arrived in Lincoln as a foreign student, the thought of being so far away from my family was demoralising. However, Michael and his family quickly dissolved any fears I had. They embraced me as one of their own, ensuring that I always felt included and cared for, despite the thousands of kilometres that separated me from my homeland. Michael had a unique ability to make each of us feel special and valued. His kindness was not just a fleeting gesture but a consistent part of who he was. He and Freda created an atmosphere where we, as students from various parts of the world, could thrive. We were more than just guests in their home; we were treated like family members, sharing in their lives and learning from their experiences. One of my fondest memories of Michael was his deep passion for cars. Coming from Italy, a country renowned for its sports cars, I was particularly drawn to our conversations about automobiles. Michael loved to engage me in discussions about the latest models, their features, and the intricate details that only a true car enthusiast would appreciate. His eyes would light up with excitement as we talked, bridging the gap between our cultures through a shared love of cars. For those of us who were fortunate enough to be hosted by Michael and his family, his passing feels like losing him for the second time. The first loss came when we left Lincoln, carrying with us the memories of our time spent under his roof. The second loss is the realization that he is no longer with us, a painful reminder that the moments we shared were fleeting, but precious. Yet, even in this sadness, there is comfort in knowing that Michael’s memory will live on within each of us. The lessons he taught, the kindness he showed, and the love he shared are imprinted on our hearts forever. Rest in peace, Michael. You will always be remembered, and your memory will forever be a part of who we are.

– Dr. Andrea Rosati

August 26, 2024

Just heard of Michael Gregg’s passing. We will all miss him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and host father to so many of the international students in Lincoln, Nebraska… May he rest in peace…My family and my condolences to Freda and all Greggs… Michael and Freda were my host parents (Lincoln’s Friend of Foreign Students) when I was in graduate school at U of Nebraska. Not a month passed that they didn’t call to see if I was OK. Often they’d invite me and several others to their house for lunch or dinner and even for Thanksgiving or Christmas feasts (when few of the students could go home abroad…my country was in the middle of a war). I called them dad and mom. They came to my Ph.D graduation to cheer me on. I can never forget what they did for me… I nominated them as best Friends of Foreign students and they won!

– Dr. Biljana D. Obradovic

August 25, 2024

Never a kinder, more sincere true gentleman have we met. Always a smile no matter the day, accepting to all and never a complaint. We will never forget all the good times, and as Micheal will always say “all the best” at the end of a conversation.