Legacy of Alumnus from First Graduating Class, Bob O’Gara ’57, Continues to Build Students’ Futures
Robert “Bob” Michael O’Gara was born April 2, 1939 in Lincoln, Nebraska. His parents, Joseph P. O’Gara and Kathryn Murphy O’Gara, provided him with the gift of a Catholic education at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and the newly opened Pius X High School. In the 1954 founding letter to the people of Lincoln’s six Catholic parishes, Bishop Kucera stated: “Now the time has come for the Catholics of Lincoln to emulate the builders of nearly seventy years ago and together build another school that will serve posterity for more than half a century.”
After graduating from Pius X in 1957 as part of the school’s inaugural graduating class, Bob went on to earn his B.A. from St. Benedictine College in 1961, and then obtained his law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1964. He practiced law at Keating O’Gara Law Firm, and became a named partner at the same firm in which his father was a founding partner. Bob married Gayle Markel, the love of his life, on July 30, 1974. Joining the U.S. Army R.O.T.C. in college allowed Bob to have a second career in the U.S. Army Reserve until his retirement at the rank of Colonel in 1999.
“My dad was a big believer in a Catholic education and the principals of faith, compassion and service it instills in its students.”
Erin M. O’Gara ’94
When the school opened on October 1, 1956, tuition was just $100. Bob was one of 168 students in grades 10-12 who were formed by Pius X legends including Coach Vince Aldrich (the only lay member of the school’s 15 original faculty) and Fr. Ivan Vap (later honored as Monsignor), who designed and built the new Pius X chapel altar with his own hands. During Bob’s time at Pius X, he was a member of the National Honor Society, served as a Boys’ State Representative, and played three of the school’s four sports (Basketball, Track, and Football), including serving as quarterback of the Thunderbolt Football team that drew home game crowds of 1,000+.
In the course of over thirty-four years of service as a reserve officer, Bob was awarded the Legion of Merit (U.S. Army), the Meritorious Service Award (U.S. Army) and Order of Saint George (U.S. Armor Association). After his retirement from the Army Reserve, Bob continued his support for our country as a volunteer for Employer Support of Guard and Reserve. Following his retirement, he was a member of the Madonna Oblate Program. Bob died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on February 7, 2023 after a short illness.
Bob’s Catholic faith was his rock and he was frequently in attendance at daily Mass. His daughter, Erin M. O’Gara (Pius X class of ’94) shared, “My dad was a big believer in a Catholic education and the principals of faith, compassion and service it instills in its students.” Bob served on the Board of Governors of St. Benedictine College, and was a generous supporter of Pius X High School throughout his lifetime. Erin shared how Bob enjoyed lifelong friendships that were built at Pius X, and how subsequent generations of their family have been blessed with the gift of Catholic education: “My dad had very fond memories of his time at Pius X. He had many close high school friends that he kept in touch with throughout the years. He was proud to send me to Pius X and I have continued this tradition of sending my own kids to Catholic school here in Omaha.”
A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Bob most enjoyed spending time with his family. Known for his wonderful sense of humor, Bob spent much of his life in service to others – whether it was service to his country, the countless people he helped during his legal career, through his volunteer work, or his faithful commitment to the Catholic community.
Ensuring that his commitment to Catholic education would continue to enhance the lives of future generations, Bob generously included Pius X Foundation as one of the charitable beneficiaries in his Living Trust. Bob O’Gara entrusted a transformational gift that will continue to help advance the school’s mission “to develop the mind, heart, body, and soul of each student…preparing our students to transform the world for Christ.”
With Pius X High School now in its 67th year, Bob’s generosity is helping Pius X continue extending Bishop Kucera’s vision for a Catholic high school in Lincoln that will “serve posterity for more than half a century,” creating a legacy that forever continues Bob’s faithful service in building God’s kingdom both within and beyond the brick and mortar walls of his beloved Catholic high school.
