TOM DOYLE

Class of 1948
​Inducted in 2023
(posthumously)

Tom Doyle was inducted posthumously into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 2023.

Tom graduated from South High in 1948 where he excelled in academics and was an exceptionally skilled member of the debate team. Upon graduation, Tom attended Omaha University (now UNO) where he earned a degree in chemistry while working nights at Armour & Co. and raising a family with his wife of 52 years, Anna Rose (Andrlik)-1950. Tom was the first member of his family to attend college and credited his South High debate coach, Raymond L. Brown, for strongly influencing him in that direction. While at South, Tom also became a champion boxer in the lightweight division in the Midwest Golden Gloves.
 
Tom dedicated more than 50 years to public service in various leadership roles. After college, Tom worked as a chemist for Northern Natural Gas and Allied Chemical before taking a job at Western Electric in 1956. In 1959, Tom became a licensed Professional Chemical Engineer, a certification that he kept active until his death in 2022 at age 91.

In 1967, at the age of 36, Tom left Western Electric to accept an appointment by Governor Tieman as the state’s youngest ever Commissioner of Labor, launching his stellar public service career. As Commissioner, Tom played a pivotal role during a time when packing houses were consolidating and relocating. In 1972, Tom was appointed by Governor Exon as State Engineer where he served for 8 years. After that, Tom was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, followed by an appointment as the Douglas County Surveyor/Engineer in 1983. Tom was eventually elected to the post and won re-election every four years becoming the longest serving Douglas County official in an elected position, having served for 39 years.
 
Tom’s legacy is marked not only by his years of leadership and public service, but also by his family of five children which includes two former elected officials (Kathleen, Tom, Mark, Kevin, and Annette), 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. His son-in-law, Dan Park-1967 and daughter-in-law, Aldona Gasiliunas Doyle-1981) reflect and agree that, “Most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father that was a best friend to each family member.” 

​Tom passed away in August 2022.