Thomas Allen Machacek, 63, of Lincoln, Nebraska, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 10, 2020. He was born in Yankton, South Dakota on August 17, 1956. He attended Irene High school and graduated May of 1974. In November of 1974, Tom placed his faith in the Lord. He joined the United States Navy in June of 1976. On December 10, 1977, he married Sherri Lee Elwell in Ogden, Utah. Over their life together they have moved 14 times and lived in Idaho, Connecticut, California, Kansas, South Dakota and Nebraska. Tom served on the USS Skipjack (SSN 585) and received the Presidential Unit Citation from the Navy while on the USS Parche (SSN 683) in 1986. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in October 1987 at the rank of Electrician’s Mate Chief EMC(SS). In 1992, he received a Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Agronomy and Environmental Management, from South Dakota State University (SDSU) as an Outstanding Senior and in 1995 was awarded a Master of Science (M.S.) degree from SDSU. After receiving his M.S. degree, the family moved to Lexington, Nebraska where he worked as an Area Crop Specialist. In 1996, the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska were Tom continued working in the field of Agronomy. In 1998, he began working at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within the School of Natural Resources and then the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Tom was currently working as the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer and Acting Laser Safety Officer, Senior Safety Specialist with EHS at UNL.
1976-1978 Nuclear Power Training, Various-USA
1978-1980 Nuclear Power Plant Operator, USS Skipjack
1980-1982 Nuclear Power Plant Supervisor, USS Skipjack
1982-1985 Nuclear Program Manager, NRD-Kansas City
1985-1987 Electrical Division Chief, USS Parche
1976-1987 United States Navy, USA
1987-1988 Seed Analyst, Seed Testing Lab, SDSU, Brookings, SD
1988-1989 Biochemical Analyst, Seed Testing Lab, SDSU, Brooking, SD
1989-1991 Interim Director, Seed Testing Lab, SDSU, Brookings, SD
1991-1992 Agricultural Research Technician, SDSU, Brookings, SD
1992-1993 Agricultural Research Assistant, SDSU, Brookings, SD
1987-1993 South Dakota State University (SDSU)
1993-1995 Dakotah Environment, Owner/Agronomist, Brookings, SD
1995-1996 Servi Tech, Inc., Area Crop Specialist/Agronomist, Lexington, NE
1996-1998 Blue Valley Cooperative, Director of Agronomy, Seward, NE
1998-2000 Research Technologist II, UNL Lincoln, NE
2000-2004 Laboratory Manager, UNL Lincoln, NE
2004-2005 Radiation Safety Specialist, UNL, Lincoln, NE
2005-2009 MDS Pharma Services, Bio-Analytical Chemist, Lincoln, NE
2005-2009 Augustine and Associates Consulting, Inc., Omaha, NE
2013 Consulting Services (UTAS), York, NE
2010-2020 Celerion, Senior Scientist, Lincoln, NE
2010-2020 Independent Contractor, Lincoln, NE
2014-2020 Senior Safety Specialist, UNL Lincoln, NE
2005-2020 Assistant Radiation Safety Officer/Acting Laser Safety Officer (Senior Radiation Safety Specialist), UNL Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Lincoln, NE
Over his lifetime, in the Navy and Academic worlds, Tom gave multiple types of training, held many professional certificates, authored and co-authored research publications and posters, received competitive grants, wrote popular articles, gave oral presentations and university class lectures, and received student research and academic awards.
In 1998, the family attended Indian Hills Community Church where they found biblical truth being taught. Tom began studying God’s Word more faithfully, studiously following the pastor’s teachings, and was baptized in November of 2009. He taught the Word to the elderly at Legacy for many years. Tom was currently editing Pastor Gil’s Commentary on the book of Matthew.
Tom and Sherri were members of the Lincoln and Omaha Volkssport Clubs (AVA).
Preceded in death by his parents, Richard Machacek and Esther White; and stepfather, Rueben Knodel; brother, Charles – Chuck (Brenda – deceased) Machacek; and stepbrothers, Glenn (Kay – deceased) Knodel, Jim Knodel; and nephew, Darin Williams.
Survived by his wife, Sherri; son, Joshua Rueben (Imogen) Machacek of Canberra, Australia; daughter, Ilia Marie (Thomas) Minary of Lincoln, Nebraska; brother, Vern (Helen – deceased) Machacek; sisters, Pat (Doug – deceased) Johnson, Judy (David) Zikmund, and Linda (Roger) Williams; stepsister, Darlene (James) Norwood; stepbrother Bill (Faye – deceased) Knodel; grandchildren, Charles Ore, and Audrey and Henry Machacek; and many nieces and nephews.
The service will be held at Indian Hills Community Church, 1000 S. 84th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510, on Friday, August 14, 2020, at 10:30 am. His ashes will be laid to rest at the Omaha National Cemetery for Veterans.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday (8-14-20) Indian Hills Community Church, 1000 S. 84th St.
Following the CDC COVID-19 guidelines, we will comply with social distancing seating and limited room capacity. Masks are required for all in attendance.
ROPER AND SONS IS COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WEAR OUR MASKS TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WE ASK THAT YOU WEAR YOUR MASK TO PROTECT US AND OUR FAMILIES.