Comments on: Dr. Kenneth P. Pruess

By: John Philip Grabouski

John Philip Grabouski — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:33:49 +0000

While this is a rather late comment on Dr. Preuss death, I would like to recall it to honor him and his family. I see Dr Preuss was in North Platte from 1957-1965. I was born in 1961 and MY EARLIEST MEMORY was Ken bringing a rather large catfish to our house. He had apparently commented their picnic table was too small to dress his Fish. We (with a family of 10) had a rather large picnic table….Dad commented with a grin, Ken was just bragging. The fish seemed to be as big as me…maybe it was. Condolences Neva from one of the 8 Grabouski children with some very fond memories of Ken and your time in North Platte. Now that I read the comments, I also recall he smoked a pipe. i seem to recall then he was a photography nut and had his own dark room for developing black and white pix?… I dont recall ever seeing Dr Preuss post their time in North Platte. but as a fly fisherman, Ken had interactions with a brother-in-law of mine in Lincoln. Occasionally his name came up in conversation with Mom and Dad (Ellie and Phil now both deceased). Dad would always have a smile on his face when the Preuss name came up. Our prayers are with you all.

By: Michael Pitcairn

Michael Pitcairn — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 19:21:29 +0000

Ken was my major professor for my Master’s degree. He was an excellent mentor and allowed me a lot of latitude in performing the work. I made a lot of mistakes but learned a lot at the same time and I’ve always appreciated that from him. I had a very nice conversation with him at the International Congress of Entomology back in September. He was sitting outside smoking his pipe and we had a long chat. My condolences to Neva and his family.

By: Blair Siegfried

Blair Siegfried — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 16:06:59 +0000

It’s hard for me to imagine UNL Entomology without Dr. Pruess. He was always willing to provide help to me and my students but never without challenging us to think and try to explain what we do. His main questions for me during my interview were whether I ever get my feet wet and if I bowled. Fortunately, I had the chance to do both with Ken and for that, I will always be grateful. With sincere condolences to Neva and family.

By: Lavon Sumption

Lavon Sumption — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 19:36:49 +0000

Ken and I were new arrivals to UNL in 1957–I met him at North Platte–he was cheerfully, fully dedicated to his work, a lift for his colleagues. May Ken’s family be supported among one another through memories of the best they shared with this good man.

By: Ken Cradock

Ken Cradock — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 19:28:31 +0000

This is indeed very sad news. On behalf of all participants of the Rocky Mountain Conference of Entomologists, our condolences to the family. Ken was a wonderful colleague and mentor, and at the conference his skill at horse shoes was formidable along with his kind guidance to those just starting out. Ken will be greatly missed.

By: Kirk and Susan Coulter

Kirk and Susan Coulter — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 02:58:12 +0000

Carleens’s Dad was a very special person and we will miss him. We were honored to have Ken, Neva, and of course Carleen as part of the Coulter family. They are very special to us. God bless and rest in peace Dr. Pruess.

By: Kathy Wheelock

Kathy Wheelock — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 02:56:12 +0000

Neva,Carleen,Kenn So sorry for your loss. He will be deeply missed. Sending our prayers and love.

By: Antonio R. Panizzi

Antonio R. Panizzi — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 20:56:29 +0000

Use to talk with Dr. Pruess and his wife Neva every time we, my wife and I, meet them at the ESA meetings. we loved to chat and hear about his 64 shirts illustrated with insects.

Our condolences to the family.

By: Tony Joern

Tony Joern — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:31:46 +0000

This is very sad news indeed. I always enjoyed my interactions with Ken immensely. I have no doubt that he was one of the most interesting individuals I encountered in my career and his massive understanding and knowledge of so many things was amazing. He taught me to tie flies with an entomologist’s attention to the goal at hand as well as what the fish might be thinking, and talking about grasshoppers was always the best. I will definitely miss my discussions with him. Thankfully, I never succumbed to his repeated suggestions that I should bowl – it would not have been pretty – but he sure loved it. I hope to have the same positive and friendly but properly skeptical attitude that so marked his life.

By: Brent Elliott

Brent Elliott — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 19:22:20 +0000

It was always a pleasure to run into Dr. Pruess at the North Central and National meetings of ESA. I don’t know that we were ever formally introduced but he always made time to talk. He will be very much missed.