David John Szymanski, PhD

David John Szymanski, PhD

February 17, 1951 ~ August 28, 2022

Age 71

David John Szymanski died from cancer with his family at his side.  He was born in Adams, Massachusetts on February 17, 1951.  Since May of  1986, he has been a resident of Bellevue, Nebraska.  David graduated from Saint Stanislaus Kostka (1964) and Adams Memorial high School (1968).  He received his Bachelor in Liberal Arts from Niagara University, Master in Special Education from Saint Rose College, and his Doctorate degree from Indiana University.  He was a full time, part time and adjunct professor at the following colleges and universities:  Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Missouri Western, Indiana, Peru State, UNO and Bellevue University.  At the University of Kansas, he was nominated by students for his quality of teaching.  He was published in textbooks, journals, magazines, symposia, and newsletters.  He was a coordinator and speaker at many local, state and national forums and professional conferences.

David played several instruments.  He recorded his guitar music, bells with marching band, baritone bugle with the Interstatesmen Drum and Bugle Corps, and his accordion with Ron Richardello’s Philharmonic Orchestra.  He performed throughout the northeast and taught music.  He was a senior and junior drum and bugle contest judge on execution brass with several judging organizations across New England, New York and New Jersey.  He enjoyed vegetable gardening, reading, and collecting stamps and firefighter decanters.

David was both a volunteer and career firefighter; served in several elected offices; received the Firefighter of the Year Award from BVFD in 1988; and functioned as the fire department’s Public Information Office for over 15 years.  He was an active member of the following fire departments:  North Liberty, IA, Boone County Fire District, MO, Bloomington Township IN, Wakanusa Township, KS and both the Bellevue Volunteer and Bellevue Fire and Rescue Departments in Nebraska  He taught classes and made presentations at local, state and international fire service seminars. He was also a volunteer member of the Nebraska Critical Incident Stress Management team.

He was preceded in death by parents John G. and Flora K. (Nowak) Szymanski of Adams, MA; grandparents Jan & Agata (Rogoswki) Nowak of Adams, MA; grandparents Joseph Szymanski and Telofilia (Zadroga) of Pittsfield, MA.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years Elizabeth A. (Knotts) Szymanski of Bellevue, NE; two daughters Laura E. (Olaf II) Winterton of Lincoln, CA and Kate E. Szymanski of Bellevue.  Other family members are a brother Paul J. Szymanski wife Arlene (Max) of Attleboro, MA; nephews and nieces including Kerri Brainard (James); Mark Szymanski (Lisa); Kyle Szymanski (Jenn); great grandniece, Callie and great-grandnephew Parker and Bradley.  He is also survived by Danish son Peter Nellemann; grandchildren Tessa and Alexandra Winterton; several cousins and friends.

In-laws including father-in-law Noel D. Knotts of Malabar, FL, Jane & Bill Moore, nephews Adam & Chad of Snellville, GA, Carl Knotts; niece Hailey; nephew Scout of Mason Neck, VA; Noël Knotts of Melbourne, FL, and Barbara and Tom Butler of Malabar, FL.

Visitation:  Saturday, September 3, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., followed by a

Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., both at the Bellevue Memorial Funeral Chapel.

To view video of the service, click the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/david-j-szymanski-phd-ms63pdfd1sfiqp9j7evn

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bellevue Fire and Rescue Department Honor Guard, the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Hall or as directed by the family.