Paul Chris Andreas

Turkey, born in Lincoln Nebraska on January 27, 1925 during the dust bowl. He grew up in the Great

Depression and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School. Drafted just out of school, he entered

the US Army April 1943 and fought across Europe during WWII including the Ardennes, Rhineland and

Central Europe Campaigns. During the war, he rose to the rank of Technical Sargent, leading men into

combat. He lost many good solders in the battle of Hurtgen Forest, was captured during the Battle of

the Bulge and moved to seven different POW camps before finally being liberated by the Australian

army in April 1945. He was decorated with three Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman

Badge, Marksman Rifle and others. The horrifying sounds and visions of combat never left his being,

especially the German 88s. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Bachelor of

Science Degree, went on to graduate from St. Paul Bible College in 1954, and entered the teaching

profession in Ord Nebraska. The next year he took a Social Studies teaching position at Westside High

School in Omaha, which he held for 31 years interacting with 7000 students. A Master’s Degree from

UNO was earned in 1963.

January 28, 1960 he married Annette Sydow from Hines Minnesota. Together they raised four children

in Omaha. As a family, they traveled extensively across the western United States. He was the first to

build a curriculum for teaching Nebraska and Russian history for high school students, presenting the

program to many school systems across the state. As a publisher, he created a historical map of

Nebraska and wrote 30 articles for various periodicals. He worked closely with the State Historical

Society, Game and Parks Commission and with the Nebraska Indian Commission to help develop a sense

of dignity and self-worth to native peoples. In 1984, he was recognized as the “American History

Teacher of the Year.” Over his lifetime, he worked, donated and fundraised for Camp Rivercrest, a youth

camp in Fremont Nebraska. He was a member of the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle, which became Christ

Community Church. There, he was a longtime member of the choir, Executive Board and Sunday School

teacher. He spoke multiple languages. In retirement, he spent a year teaching with his wife at an

international school in Malaysia and traveled around the world. He was a man of many passions with his

God as number one, then his wife Annette and kids. Of course, there was always Nebraska Football, for

which he was a lifelong fan.

He is survived by Son, Paul and Cindy Andreas of Tenstrike, MN, Son, Tom and Diana of Versailles, MO,

Son, Andy and Becky of Columbus, OH and Daughter Paulette and Doug Piper of Gulf Port, MS. Nine

Grandchildren and Five Great Grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by everyone he grew up with.

Memorials are preferred to Camp Rivercrest, 2840 Co Rd 13, Fremont, NE 68025