Philip H. Grabouski, 93, of North Platte, passed away April 15, 2015 in Lincoln, NE. He was born March 11, 1922 in Beatrice, NE to Herman and Cora May Remley Grabouski. He grew up in the 1930’s on a grain and livestock farm southwest of Beatrice and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1938. Having trained at the Beechcraft Aircraft Company in Wichita, KS, he worked as a civilian testing aircraft engines for the war department in the United States and Great Britain, including aircraft flown by the Flying Tigers in WWII. He joined the Navy in 1944 and used his aviation engine skills in the Pacific theater.
In 1949, he graduated from University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in technical agriculture. He bought a farm southwest of Beatrice raising crops and running a diary operation from 1949-1956. He was recognized as an innovative farmer as he was the first in the area to install an irrigation system. From 1957 to his retirement he worked as an agronomist for the University at the West Central Research & Extension Center in North Platte. He attended graduate school at UNL from 1972-74, where he earned his master’s degree. He received the 1983 Crop & Soils Magazine Award for Excellence in Journalism from the American Society of Agronomy and the USDA Distinguished Service Award in 1987 for his soil test comparison program. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1986. Being a farmer at heart all his life, he started his own consulting business to farmers, working for another 27 years until age 90.
Having been a member of the UNL livestock and dairy judging teams in college, he judged at numerous county fairs throughout western Nebraska for 42 years. He enjoyed working with 4-H young people and advised them to “do their best, respect others and get an education.” He always said “an education can never be taken away from you.”
Phil married his loving wife, Eleanor Pieper of Beatrice in 1948. They were married for 67 years and raised eight children; Jan, Joy, Jill, Julie, Jody, Jim and John. He was a caring husband, father and grandpa, who loved his family and was proud of each one. Phil had faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for over 58 years and served on various boards and committees.
Phil was an avid gardener, raising vegetables for his family. He loved flowers, especially roses and took great pride in his yard and grape vineyard. He also loved to fish and hunt deer, elk and wild turkeys; was a backyard mechanic and valued his tools; restored antique cars and loved to travel.
Phil is survived by his wife, Eleanor; daughters, Jan (Les) Ravenscroft of North Platte, Joy (Jay) Callahan of Lincoln, Jill (Michael) Jank of Lincoln, Julie (Rich) Weese of Kansas City, and Jody (Russ) Brown of Arlington, TX; sons, Jeffrey of San Diego, CA, Jim (Jacque) of Sioux City, IA and John of Lincoln; 17 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a brother, Harold (Beverly) of Winnebago, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul, Howard and Lloyd; and a sister, Ruth.
Memorials may be given to Our Redeemer Lutheran School in North Platte or Maranatha Bible Camp, Maxwell, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com.
Services will be 11:00 am Monday, April 20, 2015 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 pm Sunday with the family receiving friends from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.