(pic from 1969)

William Blanton Bogar, 91, Lincoln, died Friday (2/20/04). Longtime principal, Lincoln High School. Born, Creston, Iowa, (1/27/13). Married Ada Lenore Mayne (6/1/38) in Alliance. Daughter, Patricia Louise, was born (9/29/38) in West Point. Celebrated 50th wedding anniversary (6/1/88) in Lincoln. First wife, Ada, died July 23, 1988. Married Neva Webster Reel (4/12/89). Second wife, Neva, died Oct. 17, 2002, in Lincoln.

Education: Graduate, Creston Public High School, 1930; graduate, Creston Junior College, 1932; graduate, University of Nebraska, earned Bachelor of Arts in education, 1934; member, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa professional educational fraternity; Master of Arts in school administration from University of Nebraska Teachers College, 1938; graduate work beyond master's degree, 1950.

Religious activity: Member, Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1948-present; Schools of Religion instructor to train church school workers, 1951-1953; chairman of Leadership Activities Committee, State Board of Education for Methodist Church, 1956; lay leader, lay associate, 1957; chairman, Crusader Division of Centennial Fund Co., 1957; vice chairman, Official Board of Stewards, 1957-1958; adult Sunday school teacher, 1958; School of Christian Living Presentation moderator, participant, 1958; chairman, Official Board of Stewards, 1958-1965.

Professional experience: teacher of English, assistant football coach, sponsor of declamatory and debate, Minatare, 1936-1937; teacher of English and journalism, sponsor of declamatory and school newspaper, Alliance, 1937-1938; principal, West Point High School, 1938-1942; principal, McCook High School, 1943-1945; principal, Fort Madison High School, Fort Madison, Iowa, 1945-1947; principal, Whittier Junior High School, Lincoln, 1947-1950; associate professor of educational administration and secondary education, University of Nebraska, taught undergraduate and graduate courses for 21 consecutive summers, 1948-1969; principal, Lincoln High School, 1950-1976; president, Nebraska Association of School Administrators, 1954-1955; chosen as Nebraska Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Nebraska Association of School Administrators, 1976; inducted into Lincoln High School Athletic Hall of Fame for being principal at Lincoln High School for 26 years, plus 10 years prior at other schools, 1998. Past president, Nebraska Schoolmasters Club. Life member, Parent Teacher Association. One of the organizers and first sponsors of Lincoln Citywide Student Council. One of the organizers and consistent supporters of local American Field Service.

Innovations initiated at Lincoln High School: replaced home rooms with guidance counselors; teachers received plan periods; school day was expanded from five to six periods; graduation requirements increased from 130 credit hours to 145; completion of Johnson Gym in 1961; addition of body conditioning gym, new locker rooms and new oval with eight-lane track; retained name of Lincoln High School for the school during years of controversy, 1957; created new cafeteria, student lounge and little theater; use of computers; creation of new science labs; spearheaded campaign for new band uniforms and choir robes (needed $12,000 and raised $27,000 in nine days); centennial and auction; creation of new library, windows and air conditioning for the building.

Community service: Boy Scout master, 1936-1937; Master Mason, 1944; Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 1948; Malone Community Center; member of Masonic Lodge 19 A.F. & A.M.; Belmont Community Center, 1951; Bryan Memorial Hospital board of trustees, 1953-1959; committee to keep Biafrans alive, 1969; admiral, Nebraska Navy, three times, Nebraska Governor's Committee for Government Improvement, 1970.

Survivors: daughter, son-in-law, Patricia Louise Bogar and Robert J. Burford Sr.; stepdaughter, husband, Martina Reel and Duane Shaneyfelt; brother-in-law, Lenhart Benjamin Schobert; nephews, Roland Lenhart Schobert, David Lynn Schobert, Charles William Meredith Bogar, Eugene LeRoy Neuswanger; niece, Leah Joan Clements.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/journalstar/name/william-bogar-obituary?pid=1956825