Nels Forde, 89, of Golden Valley, Minnesota, died May 12.

For more than 30 years, Forde, emeritus professor of history, taught at UNL. Specializing in ancient history, Forde joined the University of Nebraska faculty in 1960 and retired from UNL in 1994. He also worked for two years, from 1965-67, at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

In 1980, Forde won the Chaikin Sorensen Distinguished Teaching Award. As a scholar, Forde published three books — “Nebraska Cuneiform Texts,” a history textbook, and “Cato the Censor” — and numerous essays.

In retirement, Forde returned to his home state of Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; children, Rebecca (Dan) Lansing, Steven (Mari), Suzanne (Chris) Tunnell, Barbara (Alex Rad) Forde and Christopher (Jodi); eight grandchildren; siblings, Paul, Mark, Jonathan, Daniel, Astrid Anne Young and Michael; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brother, Gerhard.

Memorial services were held May 29 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley.