Richard H. Blomgren, passed away Thursday, December 30, 2010, age 90. Born March 9, 1920 in Cambridge, Illinois to Ray Blomgren and Lillian (Hadley) Blomgren. Dick was the oldest of their three sons.
Attended Cambridge High School. Served in the Army as a photographer during WWII stationed in Italy. Married Althea (Sue) Nash in 1946. Relocated to Lincoln, NE. Dick, Chuck Edholm and John DePutron purchased MacDonald Photography and renamed it Edholm Deputron & Blomgren Photography. A while later, Chuck and Dick became the sole partners in the enterprise. In the 1970’s Chuck struck out on his own and Dick continued the business as Blomgren Photography. Dick and Sue donated the Macdonald Photographic Collection to the Nebraska State Historical Society and provided some of the photos to a Time-Life book series. The Macdonald collection, as well as those photographs that Dick took, serve as a historical reference for Lincoln. Dick retired in 1985 but still dabbled in photography and photography restoration.
Dick was a 50 year member of First Presbyterian Church serving as both an Elder and a Deacon. He was a member of the Executive Club and past President of the Cosmopolitan Club. He was also past president of the Photographers Association of Nebraska. He was a member of the State Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors of the Hallam Bank. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of Lincoln Elks Lodge #80.
Dick captured the University of Nebraska football team with his panoramic pictures from 1949-2003. His pictures were also included in the 2009 KFOR Lucky Day Calendar, and in the books, Life in Lincoln, A Street Named ‘O’ and Lincoln Looks Back.
He is survived by his wife, Sue, of Lincoln, sons Steve (Linda) Blomgren of Lincoln, Doug (Ann) of Portland, Oregon, granddaughters, Maggie (Evan) Killeen of Lincoln, Angie (Dane) Todd of Atlanta, GA and great-grandson, Finn Killeen of Lincoln.
Memorial in lieu of flowers to First Presbyterian Church, 840 S. 17th St., Lincoln, NE 68508 or Elks Scholarship Foundation, 5910 S. 58th St., Lincoln, NE 68516.
Services are 1:00 PM, Monday, January 3 at Roper and Sons Funeral Services, 4300 O Street, Lincoln, NE.
Cremation/ No Visitation.