Stanley Frank Vasa, 81, passed away on July 17 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Vasa was a professor emeritus in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders.
Vasa was born July 27, 1940, in Ogallala, Nebraska, to John and Marie (Sibal) Vasa.
Vasa graduated from Sutherland High School in 1956, Chadron State College in 1959, the University of Northern Colorado in 1962 and received his doctorate in education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1970.
He married Dona Jean (Hilferty) Vasa on Aug. 24, 1964.
He taught at Madrid High School, Wilbur High School and worked for the State of Nebraska to help establish Educational Service Units before working as an assistant professor at Nebraska, followed by a tenure as an associate professor at the University of Wyoming. He moved back to Lincoln to teach in the Department of Special Education, where he worked for over 40 years, from 1974 to 2008, when he officially retired but continued to work for the university.
Over the years, Vasa authored many educational grants that supported undergraduate and graduate students working under him and made a positive impact on their lives. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the Teachers College in 1997. He was instrumental in developing Project Para, which helped train thousands of paraeducators in Nebraska.
In retirement, he was active with the Gateway Sertoma Club, traveling, gardening, playing bridge and spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren.
Vasa is survived by sons Brad (Jo) Vasa of Nebraska City; Troy (Paula) Vasa of Dunedin, New Zealand; and Matthew Vasa of Bothell, Washington; grandchildren Stefan (Viktoryia), Jacob (Kayleigh), Noah, Charlie, Quinten, Isla and Millie; great-granddaughter Freya; and sister Agnes Moritz. He was preceded in death by wife Dona and siblings John, James, Ben, George, Robert and Lucille.
Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m. July 21 at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ. A rosary was July 20 at Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home. Memorials have been established to the Stan & Dona Scholarship and Fellowship fund.
Condolences can be sent online to Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home.
