Paul Herbert Laursen, 82, of Lincoln, died Tuesday, August 2, 2011. He was born March 28, 1929, to Ejvind and Jacobina (Johnson) in Ord, Nebraska. Paul graduated from Dana College, Blair, Nebraska. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and earned a PhD in Chemistry from Oregon State University. After his marriage to Gail Thompson in 1959, he accepted a faculty position at Nebraska Wesleyan University as Professor of Organic Chemistry. While at NWU, Paul was Chairman of the Chemistry Department, Chairman of the Science Division, Academic Dean, and Provost. He retired in 1993. Paul’s joy was teaching, both in the classroom and in the field. He thoroughly enjoyed hearing from and seeing former students throughout their careers.
Among Paul’s affiliations were the Dana College Board of Regents (Chairman). Nebraska Academy of Sciences (Chairman), American Chemical Society, Sigma XI, American Legion, Sertoma, and Habitat for Humanity. He served the ELCA on various national boards and in area lay positions, as well as in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Family members include his wife Gail; sons Brett (Erika Hoff), Scott (Lorrie); grandchildren Kirsten, Erik, Jesse, Hanna; sister and brothers Emilie, Robert, Harold, Erland, Brian; nieces, nephews. Preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial Service: Saturday, August 20, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1200 S. 40th Street. Pastor Renae Johnson, officiating.
Memorials to the Schafer and Laursen Scholarship fund at Nebraska Wesleyan University, 5000 St. Paul Ave., Lincoln, Nebraska 68504.
No Visitation.