Nebraska State Director of Transportation Russell C. “Russ” Inbody passed away March 18, the Nebraska Department of Education announced. He was 64.
Inbody worked at the Department of Education for the past 38 1/2 years, and most recently was the director of finance and organizational services. He also served as the state’s transportation chief since 1998.
A department spokeswoman said Bryce Wilson has been named Inbody’s successor in both roles, and added that Inbody had been mentoring him for the last couple of years.
“His colleagues at NDE and those he served in the education community will miss his ready smile, quick wit and his expertise. Russ always had a thought to share or a comment to make,” the department said in a statement.
In a recent speech to the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Commissioner of Education Matt Blomstedt reflected on Inbody’s contributions to the Department of Education by referencing the following quote from 12th Century theologian John of Salisbury:
“We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours.”
Inbody is survived by: wife, Pam; daughter, Shawna (Josh) Hays of Lincoln; son, Rusty and fiance Angel Swartz of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Trenton, Kaitlyn and Chloe; brother, Hon. Everett (Patti) Inbody of Wahoo; sister, Ann Inbody of Phoenix; and nieces and nephews.
Services were held March 22, and Inbody was buried at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln. Memorials can be sent to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church or to the Lincoln High School Girl’s Soccer Scholarship Fund. Inbody served as the school’s soccer coach for 21 years.
