Rich Pahls

Rich Pahls
August 7, 1943 – April 27, 2022

Rich Pahls, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend to many, passed away on April 27, 2022 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Rich was born in Jewel, Kansas to Jacob Matthew Pahls and Loretta Marie Eilert. Rich was a graduate of Downs High School, Downs, Kansas, 1962 and Fort Hays State University (B.S.) 1966 and (M.S.) 1967. He then took a teaching job in Atkinson, Nebraska in 1968. He later became a professor of education at Wayne State College and continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (Ed.D.), 1979. He spent 32 years as a teacher and administrator in the Millard School District. For the last 10 years of his teaching career, he was the principal of Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School, from which he retired in June 2004. While a school principal, he often had a collection of exotic animals — macaws, a pot-bellied pig, tarantulas, snakes, iguanas — that students could see up close. These animals were just one of the many ways that Rich creatively went above and beyond to reach his students.

Pahls’ early work life wasn’t confined to education. In fourth grade he took a job as a shoe shiner at a barber shop in Downs, where he learned the art of negotiation and debate. Pahls’ next job was at the town’s grocery store, where he worked for eight years.

He married Lyn Weckmuller in July 1987 and from this union two children were born. He and his former wife tried to teach their children the value of philanthropy and civic involvement.

Rich was first elected to the Nebraska Unicameral in 2004; re-elected in 2008 and returning in 2020 to serve District 31. He served on the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance Committee and on the Revenue Committee. Elected to the Omaha City Council in 2014. He focused on “the gut-level work: potholes, street repair, trash.”

Rich lives on through his two children: Morgan (Stephen) Morefield of Leoti, KS and Jake Pahls of Omaha, NE. He had three grandchildren: Parker, Garrett, and Jane Morefield of Leoti, KS., and he is also survived by his sisters Dianna (Rick) Robb of Olathe, KS, Patricia Dierberger of Denver, CO and Marcella (Mike) Westfall of Mayetta, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Bob Pahls and Barbra Jennison.

The Pahls family is grateful to the wonderful and compassionate caregivers of Methodist Hospital for all of their help and support.

Private family service. No visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family of Rich Pahls for the creation of a public memorial or to Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, Inc. at Braman Mortuary and Cremation Services.